Business leaders have welcomed the decision of the Welsh Government that fully-vaccinated adults will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone with Covid.
In a first for the 海角视频 from August 7th in Wales, as well as fully vaccinated adults, children and young people under 18 will be exempt from the need to self-isolate for ten days if they are also identified as close contacts of a positive case.
However, they will be advised to go for a PCR test on days two and eight.
Everyone who tests positive for coronavirus or has symptoms must continue to isolate for 10 days, whether they have been vaccinated or not.
The NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service will use the Welsh Immunisation Service to identify adults who are fully-vaccinated and who will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are identified as close contacts.
Ben Francis, FSB Wales policy chair, said: “Many businesses across Wales will be incredibly relieved to hear that fully vaccinated adults who are close contacts of a positive Covid case will no longer need to self-isolate.
“Whilst we understand that self-isolation has been an important public health tool, it has caused acute disruption and concern in recent weeks, particularly amongst Wales’ smaller businesses who do not have a large staff team to lean on when multiple employees are required to self-isolate.
"We have heard numerous accounts of businesses facing really difficult decisions about trading because of staff shortages caused repeatedly by self-isolation, not to mention ongoing recruitment issues that have been reported in certain sectors.
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“Given that businesses are at such at early stage of the recovery and have such a long way to go, this has been particularly worrying.
“As such, Welsh Government bringing this policy forward is excellent news for Welsh firms and we also welcome that it is aligned with the date set for other changes on August 7th, providing clarity for businesses.
“Clear guidance for how to operate within these new rules – particularly for those businesses who work closely with vulnerable people – will be key and we look forward to this being published as soon as possible.
"As has been the case several times; guidance both for businesses and individuals will need to be clear and accessible, and available early so that business owners and employees can plan and adapt to the change, whilst continuing to support their staff.”
Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, Sara Jones, said: “The number of people that have been told to self-isolate has had a significant impact on retail operations across the 海角视频, creating a challenge for many shops and distribution centres and the wider supply chain.
"Given the success of the vaccination programme in reducing the number of serious cases, we welcome the First Minister’s statement on self-isolation rules, allowing retail workers and those in the supply chain who show a negative PCR test to avoid self-isolation.
"We would encourage the 海角视频 Government to bring forward the date for their rule changes to ensure that healthy workers are not needlessly quarantining and that we do not see more shops or distribution centres forced to close through lack of staff.”