Essex venues welcome easing of restrictions
Face masks and Covid passports are no longer mandatory
Following on from Boris Johnson's announcement yesterday, that England's 'Plan B' restrictions will be eased next week, theatres and clubs in Essex have welcomed the news.
As of next Thursday, nightclubs will no longer require partygoers to show Covid passports, or proof of a negative lateral flow test, to be let in.
Stu Whiffen, licensee and promoter at the Pink Toothbrush in Rayleigh, cautiously welcomes the news:
"It means it's going to be a lot easier and hopefully it will see a return to the clubbing that we saw initially when we came out of lockdown, which was a joyous thing.
We're obviously happy that people will be able to use our service a lot easier than previously, however, we still want to ensure that anybody coming here is as safe as can possibly be, so if you've got any symptoms, please don't come."
Mask wearing will also no longer be mandatory.
Ellen McPhillips, Director of Southend Theatres, said the news was welcome relief for the theatre industry:
"It's been a tough time for theatres and this is another pressure point that's been released and removed from the theatre operation, so it's helpful."
She also says this will end any issues they've had with customers.
"What it takes away is that debate between members of the public about when it is mandatory and people should be wearing them, when some people for one reason or another aren't, at least then people can either wear them or not by choice, without the legislation hanging over them."
The Plan B restrictions will be withdrawn on January 27th.
Which Covid restrictions are changing?
Mask wearing will no longer be compulsory, pupils in classrooms can stop wearing them from today.
Covid vaccine certification will no longer be compulsory, while many venues may voluntarily carry on asking for covid vaccination status, it will not be a legal requirement.
The government will no longer ask people to work from home.
Restrictions on visiting care homes will be eased, with the Health Secretary setting out the rules in the near future
What isn't changing?
Self-isolation for people testing positive for Covid-19 will still be a legal requirement, with the Prime Minister saying:
“In particular, it is still a legal requirement for those who have tested positive for Covid to self-isolate. On Monday we reduced the isolation period to five full days with two negative tests, and there will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether, just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu."