People who have been fully vaccinated may still have to self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone with Covid after restrictions lift on June 21.
It is feared the threat of enforced self-isolation will hamper government plans to return to normality by deterring people from going to crowded areas, reports The Telegraph.
Likewise, workplaces may be reluctant for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees to mix if a case of Covid could see others having to self-isolate.
Conclusions from a review into social distancing rules are due to be announced next week, with guidance expected on the possible relaxation of rules over distance and face masks from June 21.
However, government sources told The Telegraph it is important that the contact tracing system remained due to it being possible to catch and pass on Covid even if vaccinated.
They said: “There is still a risk of getting the virus and spreading it on.”
It could mean millions of people who have had both doses of the jab could have to spend 10 days at home if the NHS alerts them that they have been in close contact with an infected person.
Close contact is having a face-to-face conversation or being within one metre for one minute or within two metres for 15 minutes.
Continuing with self-isolation restrictions will raise questions over whether the government truly believes vaccines will allow the UK to reopen next month.
However, Professor Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, said the pandemic could be considered “over” if vaccines prevent hospitalisations rather than preventing all infection.
He said: “If the current generation of vaccines are able to stop people going into hospital, whilst there is still mild infections, people are getting the common cold with the virus, then the pandemic is over.”
