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It has been proven that children are less at risk from coronavirus (Picture: Getty)More than 43 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine \u00a0\u2013 and over 31 million have had a second.
\nPublic Health England said it should be possible for everyone over the age of 40 to get their second dose by England\u2019s \u2018Freedom Day\u2019 on July 19.
\nWith so many Brits now fully inoculated, many are wondering whether they still have to self-isolate if they come into contact with an infected person.
\nAdditionally, since children are at extremely low risk from the virus, do they still have to stay home from school if they develop symptoms?
\nHere\u2019s all you need to know.
\nDo children need to self-isolate?
\nYes, if your child has been exposed to someone infected with coronavirus or has symptoms themselves then they must self-isolate.
\nYour child must self isolate for a further 10 days from the day they first show symptoms.<\/p>\n
Children still need to self-isolate (Picture: Getty)Other members of their household will then have to self-isolate for 10 days and possibly for longer if they then show symptoms themselves.
\nThis is because although children are at a lower risk of getting sick with Covid-19, they can still be carriers. The majority of children infected with coronavirus show no symptoms at all.
\nThe latest official figures from the Department of Education show, in England alone, 2.7% of primary and 4.2% of secondary schoolchildren are absent because of Covid-19.
\nThis includes:
\n9,000 with a confirmed case
\n16,000 with a suspected case
\n172,000 self-isolating because of potential contact with a positive pupil in school
\n42,000 self-isolating because of potential contact with a case from outside school
\nA government-led trial is underway to work out whether the daily testing of pupils who are close contacts is a better option than self-isolation \u2013 but that will come too late for this school year.<\/p>\n
Government trials are underway (Picture: Getty)Data from the trial should answer the question of how many close contacts of infected children actually become infected themselves \u2013 and give ministers some idea of how rules could change in the future.
\nUntil then, schools with positive cases report them to the Department for Education and contact their local authority\u2019s public health team for advice.
\nDo people with two vaccines still need to self-isolate?
\nYes, people who are fully vaccinated still need to self-isolate and need to keep doing so for the duration of the 10 day quarantine period.
\nThis is because you can still be a carrier, even if you have received both doses of the jab.
\nThe government website states: \u2018If you are instructed to self-isolate you must do so because there is still a risk that you might spread infection to others, even if you have been vaccinated and feel entirely well yourself.\u2019
\nFailure to self-isolate for 10 days can result in a fine of \u00a31,000, increasing to \u00a310,000 for repeat offences under the current rules.<\/p>\n
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However, this week it was confirmed studies are underway to determine whether the self-isolation requirement for those double-vaccinated could be replaced with a new testing scheme instead.
\nIf the policy change is approved, rather than spending 10 days at home, people could be required to take daily lateral flow tests instead if they are identified as a contact of someone who tests positive for Covid-19.
\nOn Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast the approach is being piloted \u2018to check that that will be effective, but it is something that we\u2019re working on\u2019.
\nHe added: \u2018We\u2019re not ready to be able to take that step yet, but it\u2019s something that I want to see and we will introduce, subject to clinical advice, as soon as it\u2019s reasonable to do so.\u2019
\nIn the meanwhile, you should continue to follow the government\u2019s guidance on self-isolation.<\/p>\n
\tMORE : Is the Covid vaccine safe for children \u2013 should I let my kid get it?<\/p>\n
\tMORE : More than 90% of people in hospital with Delta variant haven\u2019t had two vaccines<\/p>\n
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