Isolation period reduced to 10 days

Friday 30 July 2021

Islanders who have tested positive for covid, and have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours, will only have to isolate for 10 days instead of 14.

The isolation period for passengers who do not wish to take part in the Safer Travel testing programme has also been reduced to 10 days.

The move follows advice from Public Health and consultation with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC).

The isolation policy has been assessed as a "proportionate balance" to reduce the isolation burden to Islanders, including those who are asymptomatic, whilst continuing to reduce the risk to the wider community from positive cases and align with the current isolation period in the United Kingdom.

The new policy, which is effective immediately, means that islanders who have tested positive for covid-19 only need to isolate for 10 days from the time of their PCR test, as long as they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

Pictured: Dr Ivan Muscat said there was no "compelling evidence" to suggest a longer period of infectivity beyond 10 days.

The Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, said that islanders who are still exhibiting symptoms of covid-19 at 10 days - aside from a persistent cough, fatigue and /or loss of smell or taste, which are common symptoms that tend to carry on for longer after the infectious period has passed - should continue in isolation until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

"Although the evidence suggests the dominant Delta variant is more transmissible and can increase the severity of symptoms, there is no compelling evidence to suggest a longer period of infectivity such that isolation for 10 days from onset of infection, in non-severe cases and in the absence of immunosuppression, is safe," he added.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said he was pleased to bring forward a reduction in the isolation period which he said would further support the health and wellbeing of islanders.

The decision, he noted, comes a week after Ministers announced that islanders with covid would be allowed out for two hours a day in the fresh air "to help promote wellbeing, particularly for families with children and for those who do not have access to outside space".

"I hope the new isolation policy will further support this," he said. "The new policy means anyone who is currently on day 10 or more of their isolation period will be able to leave isolation now unless they have features suggesting ongoing infection."

According to the Minister, the Covid Safe Team will shortly be contacting those who are currently in isolation to advise them of the change from a 14 to 10-day period.