You may be aware that in the last 24 hours there has been a change to testing routines regarding Covid. Particularly with the use of PCR tests. To reflect the changes announced by Welsh Government the below documents outline the approaches to isolation and testing that should be taken and the FAQs from RCT have been updated to match this. These now supersede all previous arrangements on this matter.
Summary of self-isolation and testing guidance – 6 January 2022
The table below summarises the latest advice on self-isolation and testing. Please note that guidance may change in future and the latest position and further guidance can be found at gov.wales/self–isolation.
| Has tested positive | Has symptoms | Identified as a close contact | Routine testing arrangements | |
| Learners aged under 5 years | Self-isolate for 7 days. | Not required to test. Should stay at home until they are well enough to return to school. | Not required to test. Should stay at home until they are well enough to return to school. | None. |
| Learners aged 5-11 years | Self-isolate for 7 days. Should take LFTs on days 6 and 7 – if both are negative can leave self-isolation. | Book a PCR test, self-isolate until the test results are back. If positive continue self- isolation for 7 days from date symptoms started, if negative leave isolation. | Use LFTs daily for 7 days. If negative, no requirement to selfisolate. If positive, they should self-isolate for 7 days from the date of the positive LFT. | None. |
| Learners aged 11+ years and fully vaccinated adults | Self-isolate for 7 days. Should take LFTs on days 6 and 7 – if both are negative can leave self-isolation. | Book a PCR test, self-isolate until the test results are back. If positive continue self- isolation for 7 days from date symptoms started, if negative leave isolation. | Use LFTs daily for 7 days. If negative, no requirement to self isolate. If positive, they should self-isolate for 7 days from the date of the positive LFT. | Strong expectation that LFTs are used three times a week to identify asymptomatic cases. |
| Unvaccinated adults | Self-isolate for 7 days. Should take LFTs on days 6 and 7 – if both are negative can leave self-isolation. | Book a PCR test, self-isolate until the test results are back. If positive continue self- isolation for 7 days from the date symptoms started, if negative leave isolation. | Must self-isolate for 10 days. Should also take LFTs on day 2 and day 8. | Strong expectation that LFTs are used three times a week to identify asymptomatic cases. |