In another example of the fast-paced change of COVID-19 related law...

On 30 November 2021, the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1045), which set out legal requirements to self-isolate and introduce penalties for individuals and employers, were amended in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant. 

The exemptions from the duty to self-isolate (for those fully vaccinated, participating in COVID-19-related research, participating in a clinical vaccine trial or clinically unable to be vaccinated) ceased to apply to close contacts of anyone who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was suspected of, or confirmed as, having an Omicron variant. Guidance issued by the Cabinet Office and by the UK Health Security Agency was updated to reflect this.  However, this position lasted little more than 14 days!

 

On 14 December 2021, the Regulations were further amended. The distinction between close contacts of a known or suspected Omicron case and close contacts of all other positive cases has now been removed. All close contacts, regardless of the variant, will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated, taking part in a vaccine trial or can provide evidence that they cannot be vaccinated for clinical reasons. Anyone falling within those categories who was in a period of self-isolation before 14 December 2021 due to contact with a known or suspected positive Omicron case could end their period of self-isolation at that time.

 

Government guidance (but not law) has been updated to 'strongly advise' that those who are fully vaccinated and identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 (whether Omicron or not) should take a rapid lateral flow test every day for seven days. Anyone whose test comes back positive or who develops COVID-19 symptoms should then self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test. If the PCR result is positive, they must self-isolate for ten days from the day they took the positive rapid test or developed symptoms. They do not need to continue taking rapid tests during that period. If the PCR result is negative, they can leave self-isolation but should take rapid tests for the remainder of the seven days.

Will this position change again?  Place your bets.