ALTHOUGH self-isolation rules have changed from today, a Tynedale restaurant and hotel owner has said they will still face difficulties.

People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

From today (August 16), people in England who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, or are under 18, will not have to spend 10 days in quarantine if they are a contact of a positive case, a change which has been hailed "another step back towards normality".

They will be advised to take a PCR test, but that will not be compulsory and they will not have to self-isolate while they wait for the result.

But Jordan Dodwell, who owns Vercelli restaurant, on Priestpopple in Hexham, and The Greenhead Hotel, said: "For us in hospitality, it's not going to do much for us unfortunately."

He explained as many of his employees are young, they have not had the chance to be double jabbed yet.

Both Vercelli and the Greenhead Hotel have been forced to close in recent months due to staff members testing postive for Covid-19 and colleagues having to self-isolate.

Jordan said whilst luckily there has not been any incidents in the past three weeks, the vast majority of his staff members would currently have to self-isolate if they came into contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19.

"It's still going to be difficult for us," he said.

However, Jordan said in the last three weeks, business has "really, really picked up".

"It's rammed every day," he said.

The new guidance will apply to people who had their final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before coming into contact with a positive case.

People who test positive will still be legally required to self-isolate.

As double jabbed people identified as close contacts are still at risk of being infected, people are advised to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limiting contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.