The Government has announced its plan to manage the outbreak and spread of the Omicrom strain of COVID-19.
They are approaching it in 3 Phases through time;
Phase One
- Positive cases must self-isolate for 14 days (and only be releases by a health official)
- Close contacts need to quarantine for 10 days (test days five and eight, if symptomatic, then test immediately)
- Only PCR testing acceptable at this stage
Phase Two
- Positive cases need to self-isolate for 10 days (can self-release after day 10 if no symptoms for 72 hours)
- Close contacts need to quarantine for seven days (test on day five)
- RAT testing acceptable with PCR followup
Phase Three
- Positive cases need to isolate for 10 days (self-release after day 10 if no symptoms for 72 hours)
- Close contacts need to quarantine for seven days (test if symptomatic)
- RAT or PCR testing acceptable alone
Critical workers registered under the Critical Workforce Registration System and health workers have different rules and will be supported by public health guidance to enable close contacts to work.