I've always felt uncomfortable about the prospect of the husband, wife or partner of somebody with COVID-19 being permitted to carry on their daily lives, mixing in close proximity with possibly vulnerable individuals. Currently, in England, if you are double vaccinated and a household member tests positive for COVID-19, you are under no legal requirement to self-isolate unless and until you yourself receive a positive test result. Given the risk of you transmitting the virus, you are advised to take precautions, such as limiting contact with others and wearing a face mask in enclosed spaces; but this is only guidance and there is no legal requirement for you to adapt your behaviour in any way.

The exemption from self-isolation for double vaccinated household members poses a dilemma for employers in England, who are under a duty to provide a safe system of work for their staff. In view of the risk posed by household members of positive cases, many employers are requiring household members to remain away from the workplace even if not legally required to self-isolate. In such cases, if the individual cannot work remotely, they will still be entitled to their normal pay - putting additional strain on businesses trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Clearly, in the face of rising infection rates, First Minister Mark Drakeford has been advised that the risk posed by household members of positive cases is too high for them to be exempted from self-isolation. We may see the other nations in the UK following suit soon.