South Yorkshire couple 'unsure' if it's the right time to be ditching face masks
Sheffield couple Paul & Elaine Barber have been speaking to us about what they've both gone through since the pandemic began
From today, England has returned to Plan A measures following the huge success of the vaccination programme and falling Omicron infections.
Plan B measures were initially introduced on 8 December 2021 to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and buy time for scientists to better understand it and get more jabs in arms. The Get Boosted Now appeal was launched, bringing the date for all adults to be offered a booster to the New Year.
This target was reached, and over 37 million boosters have now administered. The vaccination programme has succeeded in reducing the risk of severe infection and hospitalisations, easing pressure on the NHS. Hospital admissions have now stabilised and the number of people in intensive care units with COVID-19 continues to fall.
As of today, the lifting of Plan B means:
• Mandatory COVID-19 certification will end, but venues may choose to use the NHS COVID Pass voluntarily;
• Face coverings will not be required by law in indoor venues;
• Local directors of public health are still able to recommend face coverings in communal areas only in education settings within their area, but only where the department and public health experts judge the measures to be proportionate - this is a temporary measure;
• Infection prevention control guidance continues to require face coverings be worn in health and care settings, including primary care and pharmacies;
• It is suggested that people wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where they might come into contact with people they do not normally meet; and
• It is still a legal requirement for those with COVID-19 to self-isolate for 10 days with the option to end self-isolation after 5 full days following two negative LFD tests.
However, one couple from South Yorkshire who've been through an awful lot since the start of the pandemic aren't sure if now is the right time for the rules to be changing.
Sheffield man Paul Barber ended up on a ventilator after he caught Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic back in March 2020:
"I was in a coma for seventy days and in hospital for eight months in total. They told my family that it was unlikely I'd pull through.
"It can happen to anybody and it's a killer, so people need to be mindful going forwards. If that means wearing a mask out and about, then do it. People are still dying today from this virus."
Meanwhile, his wife Elaine lost her mother to the virus at the same time Paul was admitted to hospital:
"My mum died from Covid-19 on the same morning Paul got taken into hospital.
"In crowded areas, I'll still wear a mask. I've had the booster and everything, but it's still out there and it's still dangerous."