What are the self-isolation rules in Wales?

Changes have been made in Wales to the self-isolation requirements for people testing positive for Covid-19.

If you have symptoms of Covid-19, you should self-isolate and take a PCR test as soon as possible. If you have tested positive for Covid-19 you must self-isolate for seven days.

The change comes into effect from New Year’s Eve rather than January 5, as was first planned.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are bringing the change forward because the balance of harms has changed and the rising number of cases has begun to have an impact on the number of people, in critical jobs, who are excluded from the workplace because of self-isolation.

“The Cabinet will continue to review the position in Wales on a weekly basis, as we see the omicron variant take hold across Wales. Given the seriousness of the threat the virus poses, it remains vitally important that each one of us continues to take all those simple precautions which will help to slow down the spread of the virus and the risks it poses to all of us.”

You test positive

People who have tested positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for seven days. On days six and seven of their self-isolation period they should take lateral flow tests and if these tests – taken 24 hours apart – are positive, they should continue to self-isolate.

You are a close contact and are vaccinated

Fully vaccinated adults, children aged five to 17, and vaccine clinical trial participants identified as a close contact of a positive case of Covid-19 will not need to isolate. Instead, they should take lateral flow tests for seven days as a precautionary measure.

Children under five will not need to isolate and are not required to take a PCR test or do lateral flow tests.

You are a close contact and are unvaccinated

Unvaccinated close contacts are required to self-isolate for ten days and advised to take PCR tests on day two and day eight following their exposure to a positive case.

You can get lateral flow tests:

by collecting from a pharmacy or a local collection point: Find your nearest pharmacy or collection point and opening times (on nhs.uk)
under agreed arrangements with workplaces and education settings
by ordering online for home delivery: Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time. Delivery takes one to two days

For the purpose of the regulations, fully vaccinated means someone who has received two doses of a vaccine. It does not include a booster vaccination.

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