Hospitality in Wales welcomes change in rules on self-isolation

Adults who have been fully vaccinated will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts of someone with coronavirus from 7 August, the first minister has confirmed, the same day as Wales is expected to move to alert level zero.

Children and young people under 18 will also be exempt from the need to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts of a positive case.

But anyone who tests positive for coronavirus or has symptoms will have to continue to isolate for 10 days, whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Anyone identified as a contact of a positive case will continue to be advised to have a PCR test on day two and day eight, whether they are fully vaccinated or not. Almost 80% of adults in Wales have been fully vaccinated.

UKHospitality Cymru director David Chapman said: “This represents a real breakthrough for Welsh hospitality businesses and it’s a very positive response to our regular reporting to Welsh government of the shackles imposed on businesses by the ‘pingdemic’.

“We have been telling Welsh government over the past few weeks of the havoc that the self-isolation regime has created for many businesses that already struggle to recruit sufficient staff to cope with the summer demand and preparations for a full reopening on 7 August, when Wales is due to relax remaining restrictions.

“The message has certainly hit home. We’re delighted that our members now have a chance to fully reopen next week and to try to make the most of the visitor economy high season after months of economic turmoil.”

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