People in England and Northern Ireland who have had two COVID vaccines will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
Instead of having to quarantine for 10 days, they are now advised to take a PCR test, but this is not compulsory. The new guidance also applies to under-18s.
Similar changes to self-isolation rules have already been implemented in Scotland and Wales and overall, this is expected to significantly reduce the number of people being compelled to stay at home. There will now hopefully be less disruption for businesses.
The sensitivity of the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales has also been tweaked to ensure fewer people are advised to quarantine.