England’s Plan B restrictions are to end from 26 January.
People are still urged to continuing taking steps to keep the virus at bay, including hand washing, ventilating rooms and self-isolating if positive – and those who are unvaccinated should still come forward to get their vaccinations and boosters.
In a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, the prime minister said:
- Mandatory Covid passports for entering nightclubs and large events would end, though organisations could choose to use the NHS Covid pass if they wished
- People would no longer be advised to work from home and should discuss their return to offices with employers
- Face masks will no longer be mandated, though people are still advised to wear coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces and when meeting strangers
- Secondary school pupils will no longer have to wear face masks in classrooms and government guidance on their use in communal areas would be removed.
Further announcements on the easing of travel rules and restrictions on care home visits in England are expected in the coming days.
