On Tuesday evening the Welsh Government announced that the self-isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19 will be reduced to five days.
The new rules, which take effect on Friday, January 28, will bring Wales in line with changes already in place in both England and Northern Ireland.
Public Health Wales said the change will still keep the public protected from the virus and minimise the impact of isolation on businesses, education, and public services.
Here's everything you need to know about the new self-isolation rules in Wales and when people are required to take tests.
Why is the self-isolation period being reduced in Wales?
The Welsh Government said that while self-isolation remains "an essential measure" in helping to control the spread of coronavirus and protecting the population it is no longer necessary to have it for seven days.
Health minister Eluned Morgan said "emerging evidence" has found that the Omicron variant is a less severe form of the virus, particularly for those who have had their two primary doses and the booster. She added that infectivity "declines rapidly" in the first five days.
She added: "Longer periods of self-isolation can have a negative impact on people's mental health as well as affecting the delivery of public services through staff shortages and damage the wider economy.
"Public Health Wales has reviewed the latest evidence around shortening the self-isolation period to ensure our policies in Wales continue to protect the public from the risk of onward transmission and minimises the impact of isolation on businesses, education, and public services."
When do people in isolation need to take tests?
To reduce the risk of people leaving isolation while still infectious people will be "strongly advised" to take a lateral flow tests on day five and day six, 24 hours apart.
People will need to remain in isolation until they have had two consecutive negative results.
"The earliest a person will be able to leave isolation, therefore, would be on day six after a second negative lateral flow test," the health minister confirmed.
"We would anticipate this change in policy will help the majority of people leave isolation safely on day six in the knowledge they are no longer infectious."
Public Health Wales advised the health minister that a shorter isolation period, when combined with two consecutive negative lateral flow tests, would have "nearly the same protective effect as requiring people to isolate for 10 days".
However anyone who tests positive on either day five or day six must continue to self-isolate until they have two negative tests taken 24 hours apart or until day 10, whichever comes first.
The first full day of isolation is the day after the onset of symptoms or the day after a positive test if a person is asymptomatic.
The Welsh Government added that guidance on self-isolation for those working in more sensitive areas, such as the health and care sectors, will be issued "shortly".
Why are the rules changing on Friday?
The new isolation rules will come into effect on the day remaining restrictions brought in to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant are expected to be scrapped.
From Friday, January 28, Wales is on track to complete the move to alert level zero. This means:
- Nightclubs will re-open.
- Businesses, employers, and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
- The general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces will be removed.
- The rule of six will no longer apply to gatherings in regulated premises such as hospitality, cinemas, and theatres.
- Licensed premises will no longer need to only provide table service and collect contact details.
- Working from home will remain part of advice from the Welsh Government but it will no longer be a legal requirement.
What has been the reaction to the rule change?
The Welsh Conservatives had called for the minimum self-isolation period to be shortened to five days in line with changes in England brought in just over a week ago.
Shadow health minister Russell George MS said: "With the booster jab rollout so advanced, the need to keep public services staffed, and the increasing desire to move to a point where we live with the virus the time for cutting the self-isolation has undoubtedly come.
"Sadly, as has been the case throughout the pandemic with the Labour administration in Cardiff Bay, they replicate decisions taken by the UK Conservative Government but only after playing politics, questioning and undermining such changes days earlier.
"As we move from the pandemic to endemic these political games have to stop as Labour's response to Omicron harmed Wales, not through mass hospitalisations and deaths, but through thousands having to isolate, leaving public services understaffed, consumers short-changed, and businesses losing out."
Plaid Cymru health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "This is undoubtedly good news but it's now important to understand what needs to happen to bring this self-isolation period down to zero days.
"How is Welsh Government assessing this, what conversations are happening, and what criteria will need to be met for this important milestone to be reached?"
Will any financial support be offered to those who need to self-isolate?
The Welsh Government will continue to offer financial support through the Self-isolation Support Scheme to all those who are eligible and who lose income as a result of self-isolation.
The original payment rate of £500 will be offered in recognition of the shorter isolation period. Further information about the scheme, including eligibility, is available here.
People who need support with essentials, such as shopping and pharmacy goods, can continue to access help via their local authority and voluntary organisations.
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