These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 to remove the distinction between close contacts of a known or suspected Omicron case and close contacts of all other positive cases. All close contacts, regardless of the variant, will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are:
a person who has received a complete course of the coronavirus vaccination, provided that the contact takes place more than 14 days after they have completed their course of vaccinations;
a person who is taking part in a vaccine trial,
a person who can provide evidence that for clinical reasons they should not be vaccinated, or
a child.
The Regulations also provide that, where a person comes within those categories, but was in a period of self-isolation before 6.00 a.m. on 14th December due to their close contact with a known or suspected positive Omicron case, their period of self-isolation ends at 6.00 a.m. on 14th December.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument. An explanatory memorandum has been published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk .