The self-isolation period for people who have tested positive has been cut short in most cases.
New changes have been outlined by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and come into effect on Wednesday (December 23).
People in England who test positive will no longer have to self-isolate for the full 10 days, if they receive negative lateral flow results on day six and day seven.
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If the first tests are positive, further tests can be taken on other days, and the new rules apply whether you have tested positive for Omicron or another variant.
If both tests are negative, and the person does not have a high temperature, they will be able to leave their isolation after the second test result.
The new rules are applicable to members of the general public who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, the UKHSA said.
However, anyone leaving self-isolation after seven days is "strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces".
Contacts of people who test positive
If you are fully-vaccinated (two or more doses) and have been in contact with someone who tested positive for covid, you do not have to self-isolate but should do daily lateral flow tests (LFTs) for seven days.
This also applies to people under 18 years and six months.
If one of the lateral flow tests is positive, you'll need to self-isolate and take a PCR test to verify the result.
Those who are not double-jabbed will still have to isolate for the full 10 days if they are a close contact of a positive case.
What if someone I live with tests positive?
Government advice says if you are aged 18 years and six months or over and are not fully vaccinated (double-jabbed, or have had one dose of the single-dose Janssen vaccine) and you live in the same household as someone with Covid-19, you are legally required to stay at home and self-isolate.
Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate, though are "strongly advised" to take a lateral flow test daily for seven days.
If any of these tests results is positive, you must self-isolate.
If you live with someone who has tested positive and develop covid symptoms, you should order a PCR test.
If you do not self-isolate while you are legally required to, you can be fined - with penalties starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000.
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