The self-isolation period for people who test positive for Covid-19 will reduced to five days from this week, Wales’ Health Minister has confirmed.

Anyone who tests positive for the virus will be able to end their self-isolation after five days if they record two negative lateral flow tests.

Two consecutive lateral flow tests must be taken on days five and six of the isolation period.

The changes will come into force on Friday, January 28 – the day Wales moves back into Alert Level Zero.

The self-isolation changes come following updated evidence from Public Health Wales, which will bring Wales in line with other parts of the UK.

It is hoped the reduction from seven days isolation will help ease pressures on public services and businesses through Covid-related staff absences.

However, guidance on self-isolation for people working in areas such as health and care will be issued “shortly”.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “After carefully reviewing all the available evidence, we believe that testing on days five and six together with five full days of isolation will have the same protective effect as a ten-day isolation period.

“But it is really important everyone self-isolates and uses lateral flow tests in the way advised to ensure they protect others from the risk of infection.”

Mrs Morgan added: “The booster jab has lessened the likelihood of severe cases of the virus and hospitalisation so I encourage anyone who is yet to have their vaccine to take up the offer.”

The reduction was welcomed by Ben Francis, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales, who said: “Over the last few weeks, we have made the case for reducing the isolation period, if it can be done safely, because of the clear difference it makes to the thousands of small businesses who have faced serious staff absences.

“This announcement marks an important intervention and creates some headroom for employers and staff, who are trying to bounce back from yet another disrupted festive season.”

He added: “While small businesses in Wales are still facing a challenging horizon, we are pleased to see that the Welsh Government is balancing the health needs of the nation with the needs of business and workers.”

The Welsh Government has also announced support for people suffering financial hardships due to self-isolation will return to the original rate of £500 due to the shorter isolation period.