Anyone in contact with someone with Covid ordered to take DAILY tests from Tuesday – but 10-day Omicron isolation axed

VACCINATED Brits who have contact with someone who has any Covid variant should take seven daily lateral flow tests under new government measures.

The new guidance, which kicks in from Tuesday, applies to double jabbed people as well – but the 10-day isolation period for Omicron contacts has been axed.

Unvaccinated adults must still self-isolate for 10 days if they have contact with anyone who tests positive for any Covid variant.

Boris Johnson introduced tougher rules on Omicron contacts – including the double jabbed – having to isolate for 10 days last month.

But Health Secretary Sajid Javid has now announced those measures to curb the spread of the infectious super-strain will be axed from Tuesday.

Omicron is expected to become the dominant Covid variant in the UK over the next few days as cases continue to surge.

There were fears among ministers and businesses that the fast-spreading Omicron variant would lead to a new “pingdemic”.

Government officials fear there will be one million Omicron infections by the end of this month.

A Department of Health spokesman said the new move was “practical” amid a “significant” spike in Omicron infections.

Mr Javid said: “The Omicron variant is quickly gaining ground in the UK and is expected to become the dominant strain by mid-December.

“We are taking this proportionate and more practical measure to limit the impact on people’s day to day lives while helping to reduce the spread of Omicron.

“Vaccines remain our best defence and I urge anyone yet to get a first and second jab to come forward and those eligible for a booster to get boosted as soon as possible.”

Over the summer, thousands of Brits were forced to self-isolate after being pinged as a Covid contact leading to bosses battling staff shortages.

People will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace or be pinged on the the NHS Covid app if they have contact with anyone who has tested positive.

We are taking this proportionate and more practical measure to limit the impact on people’s day to day lives while helping to reduce the spread of Omicron

Sajid Javid

They will be advised to get a box of seven free lateral flow tests from NHS Test and Trace through pharmacies, schools or home delivery by ordering online.

Anyone who tests positive or who gets Covid symptoms should self-isolate and take a PCR test to verify the result.

If the PCR result is positive they must self-isolate for 10 days from the day they took the positive rapid test or developed symptoms.

It comes as data revealed boosters offer up to 75 per cent protection from mild infection from Omicron.

BOOSTER PLEA

UKHSA figures showed immunity from two doses of AstraZeneca was close to zero after six months, but a third dose with Pfizer saw protection from the super-strain rocket as high as 70 per cent.

The Sun’s Jab’s Army has urged Brits to come forward and have their life-saving Covid shot, with volunteers also needed to drive the rollout.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi confirmed today there are now patients on wards who have tested positive for Omicron – and said we face a race to get all adults the booster.

Dr Jenny Harries, CEO of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged Brits to come forward and get their jabs.

Our latest analysis shows that boosters provide the best protection against the Omicron variant, please go forward when you are called

Dr Jenny Harries

She said: “Our latest analysis shows that boosters provide the best protection against the Omicron variant, please go forward when you are called.

“If you haven’t had any vaccine, a first and second dose still gives you protection against becoming seriously unwell.”

It comes as MPs were reportedly warned to be “on standby” to vote on new restrictions during Christmas week.

Plan C may be enacted before Christmas as MPs have been told to prepare for a Parliament recall on December 21 if the Covid situation spirals, it’s been reported.

It means indoor mask-wearing and table service in pubs and bars may be back before the festive season.

Mr Zahawi said: “We now a have variant so infectious, it will dominate and exponentially grow.

“You get to one million infections by, say, the end of December.

“One per cent [of those infected who suffer severe illness] is 10,000 people suffering severe illness in hospital.

“Three days later its 2m, three days later its 4m, three days beyond that it’s eight million. Even if it’s milder by 50 per cent than Delta, the numbers are huge.”