Nine out of 10 stick to isolation regulations

Nine out of 10 people required to self-isolate after being in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus said they fully adhered to the rules, new figures show.

Experimental data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), found 90% of respondents reported being fully adherent to self-isolation requirements throughout their 10-day self-isolation period.

Of the respondents who did not follow self-isolation requirements, 27% said they had gone to the shops for groceries, toiletries, medicine or other items, while 13% went out for recreation or exercise.

The data, collected between April 1 and 10, also found six per cent of all respondents had contact with people outside their household during their isolation period, with 57% allowing visitors into their home and 55% having contact somewhere outdoors.

Tim Gibbs, of the ONS public services analysis team, said: "It's reassuring to see that a high percentage of survey respondents are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

"Although being in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 doesn't necessarily mean you will test positive, our data shows that people are aware of the risks of spreading the virus, even if they are asymptomatic.

"Adhering to self-isolation rules is key in reducing the transmission of Covid-19, even after vaccination."

The Government made it a legal duty in September for people to self-isolate if they tested positive or were contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

The survey also found 27% of people said they had lost incomebecauseofself-isolation.