Social distancing and mask requirements have been dropped, although some places including supermarkets and public transport are still asking users to wear them. Pubs and restaurants are no longer table service only and all limits on group size have been removed, allowing large events to go ahead at full capacity once more. But in the same period of time, thousands of people are isolating across the UK after being 'pinged' by the test and trace app. In addition, Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced that the Government plans to make it mandatory for members of the public to prove they have been double vaccinated before entering crowded indoor venues, such as nightclubs, from the end of September.
The move, aimed at boosting vaccine uptake among younger adults over the summer, sparked a furious response from some MPs, including the Labour Party.
Sir Kier Starmer’s spokesperson said: “We oppose the use of Covid vaccination status for everyday access to venues and services.
“It is costly, open to fraud and is impractical – being double jabbed doesn’t prove you aren’t carrying the virus.
“Testing for access to venues would be more efficient, and would give people and businesses more certainty.”
READ MORE: Covid app ‘pingdemic’ blamed for supermarket shortages
According to the NHS, you need to self isolate immediately if:
You have symptoms of Covid
You’ve tested positive for Covid
Someone you live with has symptoms or has tested positive
You’ve been told you’ve been in contact with someone who tested positive
You have arrived in England from abroad from a ‘red list’ country, or from amber and not fully jabbed
As of now, if you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started and the next full 10 days.
If you have not tested positive but have been told to isolate due to coming into close contact with someone who has the virus, you should isolate for 10 days following advice set by contact tracers.
If you have the COVID-19 NHS app and it has told you to isolate, it will give you a countdown as to when you can stop your self-isolation period.
In the case you’re told to isolate for longer than the period advised to you by the contact tracers through the app, then the additional time is just an advisory notice.
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However, from August 16 the rules will change in England.
Anyone who has received their second vaccine at least two weeks ago and all those aged under 18 will no longer have to self isolate if they come into close contact with someone who has the virus.
Instead, they will be advised to take a PCR test, and only if the test is negative will they no longer have to isolate or take another test.
Anyone who tests positive regardless of symptoms or vaccination status will need to self isolate past this date.
The self-isolation rule changes come as thousands of people have been pinged to isolate by the test and trace app, causing many to be off work as a result.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are the latest in Government to be told to isolate, alongside Sir Keir and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Number 10 initially said Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak would not have to isolate as they were taking part in a pilot scheme which involves daily testing instead but quickly did a u-turn following public backlash.
Opposition parties said the move suggested there was “one rule fo them and another for the rest of us”, with the Prime Minister later saying they had “briefly” considered taking part in the scheme.