LONDON: Britain on Thursday extended the period of coronavirus self-isolation from seven to 10 days, as fears grew over a surge in cases.
The UK’s chief medical officers said scientific evidence now showed that people with the virus have a "real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days”.
"It is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from seven to 10 days,” they said, as ministers hinted they would take new precautions to try and contain the pandemic.
At the weekend, Britain introduced a 14-day quarantine period for anyone returning from Spain, the UK’s most popular tourist destination. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of a "second wave” of cases in Europe and health secretary Matt Hancock said on Thursday the government would announce similar measures to those imposed on Spain elsewhere, if necessary. (AFP)
The UK’s chief medical officers said scientific evidence now showed that people with the virus have a "real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days”.
"It is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from seven to 10 days,” they said, as ministers hinted they would take new precautions to try and contain the pandemic.
At the weekend, Britain introduced a 14-day quarantine period for anyone returning from Spain, the UK’s most popular tourist destination. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of a "second wave” of cases in Europe and health secretary Matt Hancock said on Thursday the government would announce similar measures to those imposed on Spain elsewhere, if necessary. (AFP)