TRUE FREEDOM
Double-vaccinated Brits who come into contact with a positive Covid case WON’T have to take a test after August 16
DOUBLE-vaccinated Brits who come into contact with a positive Covid case WON'T have to take a mandatory test after August 16.
People will be urged to get a PCR test if they have close contact with someone with the virus, but that won't be legally required.
3
The rules around isolation for double-jabbed Brits are set to be relaxed in just a few weeks, meaning people who come into contact with a positive case won't have to isolate anymore.
That means people who get pinged by the app won't need to stay inside.
People will still be contacted by Test and Trace and will be urged to get a test - but will not be legally obliged to.
And there will be no fines for people who choose not to.
Those who have symptoms will be urged to isolate and take a test, but again will not be forced to.
It will also include family members of people who test positive, who previously were ordered to isolate too.
🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
It came as Health Sec Mr Javid said earlier today that it was important not to be "too optimistic" when looking at the falling case numbers.
He told PA News: "The truth is, when it comes to case numbers no-one really knows where they are going to go next.
"I hope that the falls that we're seeing now are sustained. That's of course what I want to see.
"But we've already seen with the Delta variant, a new variant that emerged over the last year, that's more infectious than the previous one, that things can change.
"And so, I think it's important to remain cautious, not get too optimistic."
And in another plea for young people to get their jabs, he said they should see them as "liberating".
Mr Javid said: "But for young people who want to travel, it really helps you to get vaccinated, and that's the way things are heading and those young people who want those vaccines, they can get them right here and now across the country."
Earlier today the PM vowed Brits WILL be freed from crippling Pingdemic self-isolation rules on August 16 and predicted the UK will roar back from Covid.
The PM said the switch from mandatory quarantine to testing for those who have been double-jabbed is "nailed on" and won't be delayed.
3
The PM insisted there is no chance of plans to end self-isolation rules for the double-jabbed on August 16 being shelved.
From that date fully vaccinated Brits who get pinged for coming into contact with a positive case will told to take a test instead.
Boris said: "August 16 is is nailed on, there's never been any question of a review date.
"I'm very pleased that this is a country that now has the highest proportion of vaccinated adults of any country in the world.
"That is enabling us to make economic progress that we are. You're seeing the the job numbers increasing.
"It's clear that if we're sensible, and we continue to take a cautious approach then we can see a very, very strong recovery.
"The rest of this year, there will still be bumps in the road, but I think you'll you'll see a story of steady economic recovery and perhaps quite a fast economic recovery as well."
The PM has already relaxed the app-pinging rules for dozens of industries which have been falling to their knees as so many have had to isolate.
Rising Covid cases earlier this month caused around 2 million to isolate at home.
But now they are falling again, and with August 16 in sight, it's hoped that Britain can return to a more normal life.
But he also urged Brits not to get carried away by figures showing that new infections have now plummeted for seven days in a row.
3
Most read in Politics
Boris told LBC: "We've seen some encouraging recent data, there's no question about that. But it is far, far too early to draw any general conclusions.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"The most important thing is for people to recognise that the current situation still calls for a lot of caution.
"And for people just to remember that the virus is still out there, that a lot people have got it and it still presents a significant risk."
Dr Hilary Jones urges caution as UK covid cases continue to fall