UK minister backs reduced COVID isolation period to ease workforce pressures

2^min

Reducing the self-isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 from seven days to five would help British employers that have been hard hit by absences, education minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday.

The Omicron variant is still spreading in Britain and many businesses, schools and hospitals are struggling with staff shortages, fueling calls for the rules on isolation after a positive test to be reduced further.

Last month, health authorities in the United States shortened the recommended isolation time for asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 to five days from the previous guidance of 10 days.

"I would obviously always defer to the scientific advice on this. It would certainly help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on critical workforce and others," Zahawi told Sky News after being asked whether he backed a move to five days.

He said the UK Health Security Agency was reviewing the length of the isolation period and the government was doing all it could to make sure the stretched health service could operate during what he called "a rocky few weeks".

Teacher absences in schools stood at 8.5% and could rise further, he said, adding his department was drafting contingency plans for absenteeism of up to 25%, including asking retired teachers to help out.

UK minister backs reduced COVID isolation period to ease workforce pressures

Breaking Headlines

UK

Minister

COVID-19

Isolation

Workforce

Pressures

Factories burn with millions in losses: Israeli strikes paralyze reconstruction in South Lebanon

Factories burn with millions in losses: Israeli strikes paralyze reconstruction in South Lebanon

Egypt says resolving Palestine issue is key for progress in India-Europe transit corridor

Egypt says resolving Palestine issue is key for progress in India-Europe transit corridor

Walid Jumblatt says meeting with President Aoun was cordial, praises army’s role in the south

Walid Jumblatt says meeting with President Aoun was cordial, praises army’s role in the south

Tannourine water contamination raises alarm in Lebanon: New details emerge

Tannourine water contamination raises alarm in Lebanon: New details emerge

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Factories burn with millions in losses: Israeli strikes paralyze reconstruction in South Lebanon

Factories burn with millions in losses: Israeli strikes paralyze reconstruction in South Lebanon

Israeli strike targets vehicle in South Lebanon's Khirbet Selm resulting in injuries

Israeli strike targets vehicle in South Lebanon's Khirbet Selm resulting in injuries

Hannibal Gaddafi admits possession of altered photo of Nabih Berri, says arrest served 'own interests'

Hannibal Gaddafi admits possession of altered photo of Nabih Berri, says arrest served 'own interests'

Presidential office warns against AI-generated videos falsely showing President Aoun

Presidential office warns against AI-generated videos falsely showing President Aoun

Half a million liters of diesel lost in Israeli attack on water facility: Statement

Half a million liters of diesel lost in Israeli attack on water facility: Statement

Lebanon’s PM rejects talk of parliamentary extension, confirms polls on schedule

Lebanon’s PM rejects talk of parliamentary extension, confirms polls on schedule

Hannibal Gaddafi granted release under $11 million bail, travel ban imposed

Hannibal Gaddafi granted release under $11 million bail, travel ban imposed

Lebanon’s interior minister orders probe into leaked Syrian delegation passports

Lebanon’s interior minister orders probe into leaked Syrian delegation passports