Health minister Sajid Javid said the success of the vaccine programme meant it was possible to go further in easing self-isolation rules for those who have received both shots.
“From the 16th of August … anyone who’s a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been fully vaccinated,” Javid told parliament,The government would give more details this week on self-isolation rules for international travel, he added.
People identified as close contacts of a confirmed Covid case are currently required to self-isolate for up to 10 full days when contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans on Monday to end social and economic Covid-19 restrictions in England on July 19, a test of whether a rapid vaccine rollout offers enough protection from the more infectious Delta variant.
Javid said that by the time restrictions are lifted on July 19, there could be 50,000 COVID-19 cases a day — double current rates — and that cases “could go as high as 100,000.”Britain reported 27,334 new cases on Monday, and 64% of the population have now had both vaccine doses.