Daily rapid testing for COVID-19 contacts launches this week

From Tuesday 14 December 2021, daily 7-day LFD testing applies to all contacts of a positive case (any variant and asymptomatic) who are: 

• Fully vaccinated adults – 2 doses of vaccine plus 14 days since last dose 
• All children aged 5 to 18 years and six months, regardless of their vaccination status 
• People who can prove they are unable to get vaccinated for clinical reasons 
• People taking part, or have taken part, in an approved clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine 

Under 5s are exempt from self- isolation as a contact and do not need to take part in daily LFD tests. 

All other contacts who refuse to LFD test or cannot tolerate LFD tests, MUST self-isolate. 

Self-isolation is still a period of 10 days from contact, positive test or symptoms.   

Any close contact who becomes symptomatic whilst taking part in the 7-day LFD testing should stop LFD testing, immediately self-isolate and seek a PCR.

Please also remember: 

• A positive result means an individual MUST self-isolate 
• Unvaccinated individuals who are a contact of a positive individual MUST self-isolate (they are not eligible for the 7-day LFD testing) and seek a PCR test 
• All symptomatic individuals MUST self-isolate and seek a PCR test