Clarification on self-isolation changes for under fives
By Rachel Lawler
The Department for Education has confirmed that children under five can follow the same rules on exiting self-isolation after negative lateral flows as other positive cases.
This means that children under five who have tested positive for Covid-19 can also exit self-isolation after seven days, instead of the previous 10, if they receive negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven of self-isolation.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day six of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. If both these test results are negative, and the child does not have a high temperature, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to their education setting from day seven.
Anyone who is unable or chooses not to take lateral flow tests will need to complete the full 10-day period of self-isolation instead.
Earlier DfE guidance stated that children could return to education settings on day eight of self-isolation, after two negative tests, but this has since been confirmed as an error.