Concerns as covid restrictions could ease further this week

It would see the requirement for people to self-isolate scrapped, if people have Covid symptoms or test positive

Author: Hannah NorburyPublished 21st Feb 2022

There are concerns from people across West Yorkshire as the Prime Minister is expected to ease coronavirus restrictions this week.

Current Covid restrictions are due to end in England on 24 March.

Boris Johnson has told MPs that the remaining domestic rules would end a month early "provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue".

It would mean people don't have to isolate if they have Covid symptoms or test positive.

The government is expected to outline its new plan when parliament returns from recess today and rules will be lifted later this week.

Free coronavirus testing could also be scrapped.

Sarah Scarce from Leeds was diagnosed with MS during the pandemic and is still recovering after catching coronavirus a few weeks ago, she said:

"Even after both being fully vaccinated, we were both really poorly from it, so I am concerned.

"I rely on the pharmacy to deliver my medication and injections, and a lot of that is delayed at the moment, which means you might not have access to the treatment you need, and it just brings you a lot of anxiety.

"Especially if people aren't self isolating its really important for people to test, especially if they are going to be around vulnerable people.

"The way that things are at the moment with energy prices rising, it's another cost for people that are already struggling.

"My main concern is the NHS, I think that for vulnerable people, lots of us are already on waiting lists for 2 years now and its only going to get worse with no self-isolation, if more people are infected , more people are going to take up hospital beds, the waiting lists are going to get longer."

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