Removal of self-isolation rules would be 'a step too far'

The removal of self-isolation rules would be a “step too far”, a public health expert has warned, as the country emerges from the Omicron wave.

Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian, issued the warning as she suggested that moving too quickly in opening up could undo the progress that has been made in reducing case numbers.

Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme on Saturday, Evans underlined the importance of people continuing to follow the basic mitigation measures currently in place.

It comes after Boris Johnson earlier this week announced that self-isolation rules would be ditched a month earlier than planned in England.

“Advice from the scientific community and the WHO is when you’re coming out of a peak or a spike, you do so slowly and you do so cautiously,” Evans told the BBC.

“I would argue at this point in time, certainly the potential of removal of self-isolation would be a step too far.”

She added: “The worst thing that could happen is that we remove things too quickly and we end up undoing a lot of the good that we’ve done and worked so hard for.”

Evans encouraged people to continue wearing face coverings indoors and in crowded spaces.

“Most importantly, if you are unwell, stay at home,” she said.

“If you have an infectious illness, stay at home – and that includes flu and other things.

“Try not to be so caught up by some of the hope and optimism that we have that this is all over, because it certainly isn’t yet. Not yet.”