Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to allow people who have previously had covid-19 and who test positive for antibodies to avoid self-isolation after being in contact with someone who has tested positive for covid-19.
From 16 August 2021, those who are fully vaccinated, participants of approved vaccine trials, individuals under 18 years and 6 months of age, and those unable to have the vaccine for medical reasons, are not required to self-isolate if they are a contact of a positive case. These individuals will instead be advised to take a polymerase chain reaction test or given age-related public health advice (in the case of young children).
Individuals who do not fall within the categories above, regardless of a positive COVID-19 antibody test result, are legally required to self-isolate if they are the contact of a positive case. There are currently no plans to change self-isolation regulations for people who previously had COVID-19 and who subsequently test positive for relevant antibodies.