Five-day self-isolation is a risky strategy only in place to help business community, says a public health director.

Professor Dominic Harrison has issued a note of caution around the national change of Covid self-isolation time frames, saying people may still be infectious when returning to their normal activities.

The guidance has been introduced today (January 17) which allows people to end isolation after a positive test provided they receive negative rapid test results on two consecutive days.

The government has made this further change to self-isolation guidance to support essential public services and keep supply chains running.

Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health said: “The government seems to have based its decision to further reduce the self-isolation period on economic activity and business continuity.

“While many people, including employers, will welcome this, it does appear to me to be a risky strategy to allow people who may still be infectious to return to their usual activities.

“I would urge everyone to follow this new guidance with caution. Even if you get negative lateral flow test results on days five and six, please consider whether it is essential that you go out – and take sensible precautions if you do, to avoid unwittingly passing on the infection to others.

“Anyone who continues to have Covid symptoms after day six, despite getting two negative results on lateral flow tests, should continue isolating until their symptoms have cleared.”

Anyone with Covid can now take a rapid lateral flow test daily from day five of their self-isolation, and after two consecutive negative results – taken 24 hours apart – provided that they have no Covid symptoms, they can end their self-isolation.

People are however encouraged to limit their social contact, particularly with vulnerable people, and work from home if possible.

They are also encouraged to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and when in close contact with others.

The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days. It is only possible for someone to leave self-isolation early if they get two negative rapid lateral flow tests, and they do not have a temperature.

Separate guidance for people who work in health and social care settings states that they can end their self-isolation on the sixth day, but they also have to meet additional conditions before returning to work, including testing daily until the tenth day after their positive test.

There is no change to the self-isolation period for unvaccinated adults who are close-contacts of people with Covid – this remains a full 10 days.