Will COVID isolation period drops impact workplace shortages? Not in the view of this Gateshead health chief

The government have now reduced the isolation period so those who test positive for COVID now only have to isolate for five days.

However, to be able to leave isolation you must provide two negative lateral flow tests on day five and six.

If you test negative and do not show any symptoms, only then will you be allowed to leave isolation.

The government hope this will help people return to work quicker after a lot of staff in different sectors have contracted COVID and are isolating.

So we spoke to public health director for Gateshead, Alice Wiseman, for her thoughts on the subject.