Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that the British government is “studying the scientific possibility” of going into an isolation period of five days instead of seven for a positive Covid-19 case.

Asked about the matter, during a visit to a vaccination center in his constituency, Uxbridge, Johnson said “the science has to be seen. We look at it and we will act on the science.”

The prime minister confirmed that the government was studying this possibility, after several ministers in his government wished to go into a five-day isolation period to ease pressure on critical sectors that are suffering from increasing absenteeism.

The debate erupted after the United States reduced the quarantine period to five days after testing positive. But the situation is different in the UK where isolation begins at the onset of symptoms and not after testing.

The government has been cautious so far, recently reducing the isolation requirements from ten to seven days for asymptomatic cases, which take two negative antigen tests on days 5 and 6 of quarantine.

But Education Minister Nadim Zhawi broke ranks on Sunday, saying a move to a five-day quarantine would be “useful” if supported by scientific evidence. The Telegraph also reported that Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is also taking a similar stand.

In addition, during this visit to the vaccination center, Johnson pledged to keep rapid tests free “as long as necessary”, thus ending rumors spread over the weekend that individuals and businesses will soon receive them. will have to pay.