To ask the Minister of Health (i) to outline the mandatory rules for self-isolation for adults aged 18 and over who have not received a double vaccination and have been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case; (ii) why they must continue to self-isolate for ten days after contact, where they have received negative test result; and (iii) whether he has any plans to review the self-isolation rules for people without vaccination if they can (a) prove recovery from a positive PCR rest in the previous 30-180 days; and (b) prove a negative Lateral Flow Test in the previous 48 hours.

The current self-isolation guidance for close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case who are aged 18 and over and who are not fully vaccinated or who are unvaccinated is that they should isolate immediately for 10 full days following last contact with the positive person. They should not end self-isolation early.

Vaccines continue to provide the highest level of protection against the risk of contracting COVID-19 and also reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to others and of serious illness and hospitalisation.

Self-isolation requirements are kept under active review and are updated as appropriate in line with new and emerging scientific and medical evidence.

Further information on self-isolation can be found using the following link: Coronavirus (COVID-19): self-isolating | nidirect