Tony Blair has called on ministers to drop the requirement for people who are fully vaccinated to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The former prime minister said the the current system was “not rational” and was in danger of losing public support.

“We’re at risk of moving in two contradictory directions,” he told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One

In another part of the woods if I’m pinged, even though I’m testing and I’m vaccinated, I’ve got to go into isolation

“On the one hand we’re going to open everything up, free restriction altogether, and on the other hand we’ve still got this pinging track and trace system where people have got to go into complete isolation if they’re pinged in circumstances where probably the vast majority of those people do not need to do so.”

While most lockdown restrictions in England are being lifted on Monday, the Government has said the rules on self-isolating will remain in place until August 16.

At that point people who are double-jabbed or are under the age of 18 with be able to take a test rather than having to quarantine at home.

Mr Blair said he understood why people were now choosing to delete the NHS Covid app from their mobile phones rather than risk getting pinged.

“The system’s not rational and therefore I understand why people are doing it because they’re thinking this is ridiculous,” he said.

“If I’m not pinged I’m able to go into a pub, order a drink, mix with people without any restrictions whatever. In another part of the woods if I’m pinged, even though I’m testing and I’m vaccinated, I’ve got to go into isolation.”

I don’t want the Prime Minister of the country to be in isolation at the moment. I need him at his desk doing his job

Mr Blair said Boris Johnson should not be having to self-isolate after he met with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who has since tested positive.

“I don’t want the Prime Minister of the country to be in isolation at the moment. I need him at his desk doing his job,” he said.

“He’s double-vaccinated, he’s actually had Covid, he’s testing and presumably the tests are coming back negative. The point is to do this for everyone.”