Covid remains a dangerous presence in the UK, as the Delta variant is behind tens of thousands of daily cases. Despite recent totals passing 30,000, a figure not seen since January 2021, ministers have forged ahead with Freedom Day. Some life-saving measures such as mandatory face masks will soon become optional, and self-isolation will go the same way for some people.

       Self-isolation forces people to stay at home following contact with a confirmed positive Covid test.

       Contact tracing has potentially spared thousands of people from infection but prevents them from going to work or seeing loved ones.

       The latest data show contact tracers ask two people to isolate for 10 days per the original Covid case.

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       Business leaders have warned this figure could result in two million people a week needing to isolate as infections increase.

       As the Government plans for its Covid restrictions to end, so too will self-isolation, but gradually.

       The first people to enjoy life without the prospect of self-isolation will have both Covid doses.

       The Government intends to loosen its rules on self-isolation after July 19 amid the fourth phase of its Covid roadmap.

       Double-jabbed people and those under 18 won't have to isolate from August 16 following confirmed contact with Covid.

       Instead, tracers will ask them to take a PCR test to identify any potential variant.

       A positive result still warrants legally required self-isolation.

       Anyone with a covid infection must stay at home for the next 10 days.

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       The NHS app will update next month to include the revised guidance.

       For the rest of the population, it will take a little longer to enjoy isolation-free life.

       Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed Health Secretary Sajid Javid is working to combat people's "frustration" with test and trace.

       He said he had spoken to the health secretary about "the frustration" people have felt.

       Much of this frustration, he added, is with the NHS Covid app.

       Mr Javid is looking at "the most balanced and proportionate approach" to self-isolation prompted by app.

       Mr Sunak said the Government is looking to proceed "with caution" as the restriction landscape changes.

       He said: "We want to make sure that we proceed with the appropriate degree of caution and I think what people hopefully can look at is the enormously positive news of the restrictions being removed."