Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending the legal requirement to isolate after testing positive for covid-19 on clinically extremely vulnerable persons.
An assessment of the impact on protected groups has been completed alongside public health considerations, and consideration has been given to groups who may be disproportionately impacted by changes to the legislation, as well as those who are immunosuppressed.
After the legal duty to self-isolate ends, guidance will advise that positive cases and close contacts should avoid contact with anyone who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Separate guidance will be provided to those who are immunosuppressed, advising what extra steps they can take to protect themselves. Additionally, those most vulnerable to COVID-19 will continue to be protected through vaccinations, antivirals and therapeutics.