New Covid isolation changes set to come into effect on Friday

Significant changes to the isolation periods for Covid-19 will take effect from midnight tomorrow.

The changes, approved by the Cabinet today, brings an end to the five day isolation period for fully vaccinated close contacts not suffering from any Covid-19 symptoms.

They will be expected to wear a medical or higher grade mask and to take regular antigen tests, however.

Close contacts who have not received a booster vaccine are asked to restrict their movements for seven days.

The move also means that anybody with the virus will now have to isolate for seven rather than ten days.

There will no longer be a requirement to confirm an antigen test result with a PCR test for people aged four to 39 years.