With the recent news of the extension of COVID isolation payments, there’s been a fresh call to reduce the isolation period from seven to five days. 

Currently the US and the UK both have five day isolation rules.

ANU infectious disease expert Peter Collignon joined Jim Wilson on Drive to explain what the effect of a reduction might be.

“The problem with cutting down to five days … some people are going back out into the community who will still potentially be infectious,” he said.

“But you’ve got to weigh that up against all the downsides … losing work, losing people from school, not having enough staff to man essential services.”

Jim also asked Dr Collignon whether reducing to five days through spring and summer could work with people spending less time indoors.

“You would expect less transmission … the risk is probably lower for everybody and we’ll be able to cope,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Getty