From tomorrow, people in Wales having to self-isolate due to the coronavirus will only be required to do so for 10 days.

The move to reduce the isolation period from 14 days has been endorsed by the chief medical officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, and is based on the current available evidence around likelihood of being infectious as a contact after 10 days, the Welsh Government said.

At present, individuals who are contacts of people who have coronavirus and returning travellers from non-exempt countries, are required by law to self-isolate for a period of 14 days - unless they subsequently test positive and are then required to isolate for a period of 10 days from the date of the positive test.

The new self-isolation and quarantine advice will apply to:

people who have received a positive test result for Covid-19;

people with symptoms of Covid-19 who are waiting for a test result, or who have not been tested and do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home for the appropriate self-isolation period;

people living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by Covid-19 or who has received a positive test result for Covid-19;

close contacts of positive cases of Covid-19;

travellers returning from non-exempt country.

Health minister Vaughan Gething said: “We know that self-isolating is hard for people and we believe families, communities and business will welcome the announcement today to safely reduce the days in which people have to isolate.

“Self-isolation and quarantine play a key role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus and I want to thank everyone who continues to follow the rules and play their role in keeping Wales safe.”