Welsh self-isolation period reduced
Boxing day restrictions to remain
The Welsh government is reducing the self-isolation period from 10 days to seven from tomorrow, 31st December, on the basis of two negative lateral flow tests being taken on days six and seven.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has ruled out changing the new restrictions introduced on Boxing Day across Wales saying his Cabinet had carried out a review and decided to keep them at least another week.
The reduction in isolation days means that people who have tested positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for seven days. On days six and seven of their self-isolation period they should take lateral flow tests and if these tests – taken 24 hours apart – are positive, they must continue self-isolate.
The change brings Wales into line with England where the change has already been introduced by the UK Government on 22nd December.
Following a virtual meeting of the Stormont Executive this morning, 30th January, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Paul Givan announced the country will also reduce its own isolation period from tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, from 10 days to seven.
Scotland has made no announcement to follow the rest of the UK in reducing their own isolation period from 10 days.
Although welcoming the move, the Welsh Conservatives have been asking for a cut in the Welsh isolation period throughout past week. Following today’s announcement, Andrew RT Davies MS took to social media saying: “The Welsh Conservatives have been calling for the isolation period to be cut over the past week so I’m pleased ministers have finally acted. Good decision.”
The Welsh Conservatives continue to press the Mark Drakeford to publish scientific advice for restrictions introduced on Boxing Day. Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS, said today: “The Welsh Government needs to publish the evidence they are receiving before making decisions so that we can thoroughly scrutinise their actions.
“It is not good enough that they want to impose restrictions, which do not make sense, without showing us this crucial evidence to justify them.”
Commenting on the reduction in isolation days, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are bringing the change forward because the balance of harms has changed and the rising number of cases has begun to have an impact on the number of people, in critical jobs, who are excluded from the workplace because of self-isolation.”
In his statement, Mr Drakeford said that cases were highest among 20 to 29-year-olds and 30 to 39-year-olds. He added: “We are also starting to see the cases rates increase in the older age groups.
“Hospitalisations remain lower than in previous waves, but these too are starting to increase. The overall Covid-19 bed occupancy has grown by a third over the Christmas period. This is a combination of both omicron and delta cases.
“The number of confirmed Covid-19 patients in hospital has also increased to 446 on 29 December. This is 49% higher than the same day last week. We have not seen a rise in the number of Covid-19 patients needing critical care.”
He said that demand for PCR tests and for lateral flow devices was continuing to rise and had reached new record levels. However, Wales has a significant stock of lateral flow tests, sufficient to meet needs and the Health Minister has agreed to loan a further four million such tests to the English NHS.
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Drakeford has cost Welsh businesses £ms due to these restrictions just before Christmas. Some won’t recover and close; others will struggle to balance their books before the end of the financial year. Labour and plaid coalition does not work for Wales.