England’s Plan B measures are to end from Thursday 27th January, with advice to work from home and Covid passports both dropped, Boris Johnson has announced today.
The Prime Minister said that England will be reverting to “Plan A” due to boosters, people following Plan B measures, and as scientists believe the Omicron wave has peaked nationally.
The changes include:
- Face masks will no longer be mandated, though people are still advised to wear coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when meeting strangers.
- Confirmed mandatory Covid passports for entering nightclubs and large events will end, though organisations can choose to use the NHS Covid pass if they wish.
- From Thursday, secondary school pupils will no longer have to wear face masks in classrooms and the Department of Education will remove guidance on their use in communal areas “shortly”, the PM added.
- Restrictions on visits to care homes in England will also be eased further, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid setting out plans “in the coming days”, the prime minister added.
The government also intend to end the legal requirement for people to self-isolate after they test positive for Covid; while self-isolation regulations remain in place for now, as Covid becomes endemic they may be replaced with advice and guidance.
We will keep members informed of any further changes which come into place.