Prof Chris Whitty sparks confusion over England’s Covid self-isolation rules

Chief medical officer says people should isolate until testing negative, contradicting official guidance

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Prof Chris Whitty has sparked confusion by saying people should stay in self-isolation until their test goes negative", despite official guidance allowing a day 10 exit even with a positive lateral flow test.

Last month the rules on self-isolation in England changed to reduce the self-isolation period from 10 to seven days for people who have tested positive for Covid, provided they have a negative lateral flow test on both day six and seven and they do not have a high temperature. Wales and Northern Ireland have followed suit, with Scotland facing pressure to do the same.