United Kingdom stops demanding self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus

The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will lift on Monday the legal obligation to isolate after giving a positive result of COVID-19. A decision that is part of his plan to “live with the coronavirus”. Johnson pledged to take a “cautious approach” so that some surveillance systems and contingency plans that can be used if new variants appear are maintained. Local authorities should manage outbreaks with pre-existing public health competences, as with other diseases.

“The pandemic is not over, but thanks to the incredible vaccination campaign we are now one step closer to getting back to normal and finally giving people their freedoms, while we continue to protect ourselves and others,” Johnson said. For the Prime Minister, “today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in the history of our country, as we begin to learn to live with covid”.

This announcement has provoked skepticism in the opposition, which criticises that Johnson “is declaring victory before the war ends,” in an attempt to distract attention after the holiday scandals held in Downing Street in full confinement.

The intention of the conservative Executive is to greatly reduce the number of tests carried out to concentrate them on the most vulnerable population. Johnson is also expected to certify the end of the mandatory isolation for covid positives, which is now ten days, although it can be reduced to five if vaccinated and the antigen test is negative from the sixth day.