It's been a long two years of lockdowns, fire-breaks, restrictions, and mandatory face coverings but nearly all Wales' coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday, March 28. Only two rules remain in place: face-coverings are required in health and social care settings and businesses, organisations, and workplaces must carry out a specific "coronavirus risk assessment" and then introduce "reasonable measures" to reduce the spread of the virus on their premises. You can read more about the recent changes in coronavirus regulations here.
The change means that self-isolation after a positive coronavirus test is no longer legally required though it is "strongly advised". It is also advised that anyone with symptoms self-isolates though this is no longer required by law either. But how many people in Wales will continue to self-isolate if they have Covid, now that they don't have to? We put the question to our followers on Facebook and received a huge response.
Out of around 1,300 comments the overwhelming majority said they would continue to put themselves in quarantine if they got the virus – though some also argued against it, and others could see both sides of the argument. In favour of sticking to the old rule Lynne Mue said that anyone who doesn't self-isolate is "very selfish". She said: "Mixing with others and taking no notice of the illness is stupid. Others might have underlying health issues so don’t spread it around! Stay in!"
Read more: Major changes to Covid testing in Wales start this week
Tina Gascoigne agreed, saying it was a matter of "common sense". She said: "I would hope that anyone who has Covid or flu or any other contagious disease that could kill someone, especially a vulnerable person, would have enough common sense and decency to stay at home. I just don’t know how many decent people who have common sense are out there."
Joanne Bennett said she would "definitely" continue to isolate, adding that she would also continue to wear a mask on public transport even though that rule was also lifted on Monday. "You have to think of other people who may catch the virus and become very ill," she said. "Although it's no longer a legal requirement to wear a mask on public transport I wore mine today and was pleased to see that there were several other passengers still wearing them too. It's a personal choice but I feel, for me, it's the responsible thing to do, especially when cases are still high in the community."
Dave Fisher also said he would "definitely" isolate, pointing out that Covid is "still a dangerous disease". He asked: "Why is it now okay to infect others when it wasn’t before?" User Richard N Emma Overy was also in favour and admitted that he'd changed his stance on the isolating since catching Covid himself. He said: "Of course. I've been such a Covid sceptic over the last two years. Went to Liverpool three weeks ago and caught Covid as there were no restrictions in England. Both me and my wife were knocked for six by it. It's taken me almost three weeks to get rid of it."
Others also in agreement said it would be unfair to their family and other people they came in contact with every day. Maggie Leigh said: "Certainly will do. My 36-year-old old son who (he doesn't live with me ) has got Covid at the moment and he is feeling quite poorly so is self-isolating. I go and see my mother frequently who is 93 and should i get it and pass it to her then, yes, it could potentially kill her." Debbie Potter added that she also would even though she doesn't get sick pay as she works part-time. She said: "I work in hospitality and I wouldn’t be fair on the customers or other staff members . The virus is creeping up again."
Others could see both sides of the argument, pointing out that some people might not be able to afford to take time off work. Barry Bradshaw said: "I will but I am disabled, so I understand this could become hard for working people getting the support they need an may give them no option but to work with Covid which just helps spread the virus."
Will you still self-isolate if you test positive for Covid? Let us know in the comments below.
Amanda Morris had similar thoughts, saying that while she was "very fortunate" to be able to work from home, and could still work even if she was self-isolating, others were not so lucky – especially amid the current cost of living crisis. "I really feel for low-wage earners who might be forced into work for fear of losing pay. People are already struggling with fuel and food costs, 10 days with no pay would be a disaster for many," she said.
Jo Coombs Merchant said that while she would isolate she pointed out the £500 self-isolation payment would be ending soon. She said: "When you work for a company who doesn't pay sick pay what are you meant to do? Prices on everything are increasing drastically. So how do you cope on top of that with losing a week or more pay? The £500 top-up ends in June. After that those who don't get sick pay are screwed."
Nathan Benett, Sarah Elvy, and Lucy Hughes were among the commenters who said they would struggle financially if they took time off work. Nathan said: "With everything going up I think a lot of people won't be able to afford to isolate as not everyone is entitled to financial help and like myself I have bills to pay. The law has changed so if people want to or don't then that's up to them now and not some keyboard warriors on Facebook."
Sarah added: "Unfortunately I can't afford to self-isolate. Call me selfish if you want but like everyone else I have a family to support and bills to pay. With rising costs it's going to be impossible to survive on the SSP [Statutory Sick Pay] that I would get. Though I will wear a mask to stop me spreading it to other people." Lucy said: "Being that I’m a agency worker who doesn’t get sick pay. No! No I will not isolate."
A few expressed stronger opposition to continuing self-isolation. Jacqui Yap said: "I won't no. But I would avoid shops etc where elderly or vulnerable can be. I work outdoors and can distance safely so I'm lucky there. I would tweak where I go though if I am contagious, for extra safety to others."
Rebecca Leanne Hodgson argued that "the responsibility should not be on the individual". She said: "If the [government] don’t feel it’s necessary to isolate then you should not judge what others choose to do. Everyone has their own reasons, to or not to isolate, could be financial etc! I think people need to be sensible how they behave. Keep away from others but that does not necessarily mean they have to stay in their home 24 horrs a day."
Meanwhile Sarah Weaver said there is a "bigger picture to be considered". She said: "Many people have it without symptoms and won't even know they've got it so are going about their daily lives as normal. Therefore isolation seems pretty futile as it's everywhere and largely unavoidable. No consolation for many but it's here to stay. An economy requires a workforce and productivity to keep the cogs turning."
