Currently those deemed to have been in contact with a Covid-positive person - such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson - are required to isolate for 14 days.

But the new scheme will see people undergo daily tests for a week and not have to self-isolate unless they test positive themselves.

Separately, Downing Street said there would be an expansion of the mass testing trialled in Liverpool to help areas classed as 'Tier 3' have a direct route out of the harshest restrictions.

Liverpool will trial the repeated testing scheme starting on Monday, with the Government looking to roll it out across the NHS and care homes in December, and the rest of the UK by January.

Community testing has already been used in the city, with more than 200,000 people undergoing rapid lateral flow tests which produce results within 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the UK Government is looking to roll out testing in care homes next month which, it says, will allow each care home resident in the country to have up to two visitors who can be tested twice a week.

It is not yet known what areas are destined for Tier 3, with ministers preparing to outline the details on Thursday.

But Downing Street has said a greater number of areas are expected to enter the higher tiers in order to preserve the gains made against Covid-19 during the lockdown.

Additional testing plans also include all staff working in food manufacturing, prisons and the vaccine programme being offered weekly testing from next month.

Australian Associated Press