The UK government last week reduced situations where it was necessary to take a PCR test in favour of greater reliance on lateral flow tests (LFTs). In short, asymptomatic people will no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR. This was done away with in order to shorten isolation periods and reduce current nationwide staffing shortages.
In summary, from the 11th of January, people that got a positive on a lateral flow test, but had no symptoms, would still have to isolate for at least seven days, but only from the date of their positive lateral flow test.
In a statement this morning (Monday 17th January) however, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed that people can stop self-isolating at the start of day 6 if they get 2 negative rapid lateral flow test results on day 5 and 6 and do not have a temperature.
More information can be found on the government’s website at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.