Change in isolation rules a sensible step - Chamber

A change in rules which means people in England and Northern Ireland who have had two Covid vaccine doses no longer have to isolate has been described as “a sensible step ”.

Instead of having to quarantine for 10 days, those who have been double jabbed but come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus are now advised to take a PCR test.

However, this is not compulsory.

They are also advised to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces and to limit contact with others, especially the clinically vulnerable.

The guidance applies to under-18s as well as adults.

It is hoped that the relaxed rules in England and Northern Ireland will significantly reduce the number of people having to stay at home.

At its peak in July, the number of self-isolation alerts sent in England and Wales was just under 700,000 per week.

Industries, including car manufacturers and food distributors faced major disruption due to the number of staff having to self-isolate after being 'pinged ' by the NHS app .

This led the government to allow some key workers - such as those working in food distribution - to be exempt from self-isolation and take daily tests instead.

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We 've seen the real world ramifications that businesses have faced as a result of employees being forced to self isolate - staff shortages, temporary closures and supply chain disruption have all been commonly cited by firms across the country.

“In this context, it 's pleasing to see that the Government has taken the sensible step to relax restrictions for those individuals that have been doubled jabbed - an argument the Chamber has been making for a number of weeks given the turmoil that local businesses have faced in attempting to adhere to the ever changing guidelines.

“As we set out in our recent report, The Final Hurdle, we would urge the Government to go further by constantly reviewing the list of key workers that are exempt from having to isolate and reintroducing free testing for businesses in order to minimise disruption and stem the flow of the virus.

“As always, the Chamber will continue to work closely with the local business community in order to understand the impact of these latest developments and the practical bearing they are having on business output across Greater Birmingham. ”

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