IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Changes to isolation period for Covid-19 - Updated 30 July 2020

From 30 July, people who have tested positive for coronavirus will have to self-isolate for 10 days instead of 7 days. The 10 day period starts from the day symptoms start, or if asymptomatic from the day a test is taken. As before a test should be arranged within 5 days of symptoms starting. This will also apply to health and social care workers.
This change is based on evidence that there is potential for the virus to be transmitted beyond 7 days after symptoms start.
Anyone who continues to be unwell or suffer from vomiting, breathlessness or fatigue after 7 days of first showing symptoms of coronavirus should contact 111 or their GP.
Those who were self-isolating before Thursday 30 July do not need to continue to day 10, unless they are still experiencing relevant symptoms on day 7.
The 14-day isolation period for contacts of cases remains unchanged. We continue to keep all evidence under review.
The exception to the 10 day rule is for hospital patients and care home residents where a 14 day isolation period applies. This is in line with the current guidance for those admitted or diagnosed in care homes and for those admitted to or diagnosed in hospital who required critical care or are severely immunocompromised. The 14 day isolation rule will now also apply to anyone admitted to or diagnosed in hospital, to make the guidance clearer and more operational.

Summary of position as a result of UK CMOs advice to change isolation period for COVID-19

Self-isolation for general public and key workers

Self-isolation period for people with symptoms (including health care workers and other key workers) – 10 days self-isolation from day of onset of symptoms (and as before a test should be arranged within 5 days of symptoms starting).

Household contacts of people with symptoms should continue to self-isolate for 14 days – if a household contact develops symptoms during this period then they should self-isolate for 10 days from day of onset of symptoms (and as before a test should be arranged within 5 days of symptoms starting).

Self-isolation period for people without symptoms but identified as positive by testing/screening (including health care workers and other key workers) – 10 days from day of positive test. If symptoms develop during this 10 day isolation period then they should self-isolate for 10 days from day of onset of symptoms.

Close contacts of confirmed cases should continue to self-isolate for 14 days – if a close contact of a confirmed case develops symptoms during this period then they should self-isolate for 10 days from day of onset of symptoms (and as before a test should be arranged within 5 days of symptoms starting).

Self-isolation for hospital in-patients and care home residents

Self-isolation period for symptomatic hospitals inpatients or care home residents – 14 days self-isolation from day of onset of symptoms (this remains the same as previous advice)

Self-isolation period for hospital inpatients or care home residents without symptoms but identified as positive by testing/screening – 14 days from day of positive test. If symptoms develop during this isolation period then they should self-isolate for 10 days from day of onset of symptoms.
As is already the case, patients will not be discharged to care homes without a confirmatory negative test.

Please find below a link to the 'Joint statement by the UK Chief Medical Officers - extension of self-isolation period':-