Vaccinated Britons set to enjoy freedom from August 16

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From August 16, British citizen who have already taken second dose of COVID vaccine will be allowed to skip self-isolation and enjoy freedom. British Health Secretary Sajid Javid told parliament: “This new approach means that we can manage the virus in a way that’s proportionate to the pandemic while maintaining the freedoms that are so important to us all”.

People who test positive will still have to self-isolate for 10 days even if they’re jabbed, he warned.

And close contacts will still be urged to get a gold-standard PCR test to “get certainty” that they’re not infected.

Spelling out the rules in the Commons Javid said that anyone who gets their second dose on the cusp of August 16 will still need to wait two weeks so the extra protection can kick in.

Javid also confirmed under-18s – who are not eligible for vaccines – will also be able to avoid quarantine if they come into contact with a Covid case.

He said: “Instead they’ll be given advice about whether they should get tested, dependent on their age and will need to self-isolate only if they test positive”.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid paid tribute to “selfless” Brits who have “done their duty” and isolated when pinged.

He said: “I understand that some people are cautious about their idea of easing restrictions, but we must balance the risks – the risks of a virus that has diminished but not defeated, against the risks of keeping these restrictions and the health, social and economic hardship that we know they bring.

“This pandemic is far from over and we will continue to proceed with caution.

“But we’re increasingly confident that our plan is working and that we can soon begin a new chapter based on the foundations of personal responsibility and common sense rather than the blunt instrument of rules and regulations”.

Currently, anyone alerted by Test and Trace that they have been near someone who has tested positive must — by law — isolate at home.

It comes just a day after Boris Johnson unveiled a wealth of new freedoms Brits can enjoy from July 19 as the country emerges from lockdown.

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