Crucial Covid rule change affecting use of PCR tests takes effect today

The new measures applies in England from 11 January (Photo: Getty Images)The new measures applies in England from 11 January (Photo: Getty Images)
The new measures applies in England from 11 January (Photo: Getty Images)

A crucial change to Covid-19 testing rules comes into effect from today, affecting how to use PCRs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From 11 January, anyone in England who tests positive for coronavirus on a lateral flow test will no longer have to take a PCR test to confirm the result.

People will still have to self-isolate for at least seven days, but this will start straight away from the date the lateral flow test was taken.

Under previous rules, people had to wait for a confirmatory PCR test result before beginning their isolation period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anyone who is fully vaccinated can stop isolating after seven days, proving they take a lateral flow test every day and get a negative on days six and seven, and have no symptoms.

Those who are unvaccinated are still required to isolate for a full 10 days.

Who does the rule change affect?

The latest change, announced by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) last week, affects people in England who are asymptomatic - an estimated 40% of cases - and test positive on a lateral flow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is intended to help people return to work more quickly, and free up capacity in laboratories by limiting PCR tests to those who have Covid-19 symptoms.

Anyone who develops one of the three main coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste - should self-isolate immediately and still get a PCR test.

The requirement to take a confirmatory PCR test for asymptomatic people who test positive on a lateral flow test has already been scrapped in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Is the rule change permanent?

The UKHSA said the change testing rules is a temporary measure while Covid-19 rates remain high across the UK.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “This is a tried and tested approach. With Covid cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate Covid-19 without the need for PCR confirmation.

“If you test positive on an LFD, you should self-isolate immediately and register your result to allow contact tracing to take place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It also remains really important that anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test via gov.uk, or by phoning 119.”

Are there any exceptions to the rules?

There are some exceptions to the new rule changes introduced in England. These include:

  • Those who want to claim the £500 self-isolation Test and Trace Support Payment. These people will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR test if they get a positive lateral flow result, before they can claim financial support.
  • Those who are taking part in research or surveillance programmes may still be asked to take a follow-up lateral flow test.
  • Those who have a positive day two test result after they arrive in England.
  • Those who are at high-risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 and have been identified by the NHS as being potentially eligible for new treatments. They will be receiving a PCR test kit at home by mid-January to use if they develop symptoms, or if they get a positive lateral flow test result, as they may be eligible for new treatments if they receive a positive PCR result.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, NationalWorld.

Related topics: