Government reconsiders mandatory Covid-19 vaccines for NHS staff
Health secretary Sajid Javid has been facing pressure to scrap the requirement for health workers in England
Last updated 31st Jan 2022
The Government are reviewing the idea of scrapping mandatory coronavirus vaccines for frontline health and social care workers following worries about a major staffing crisis if the rules are applied.
Under the current plans, front-line NHS workers in England must be fully vaccinated by 1 April, meaning they need a first dose by Thursday (3 February).
The requirement for care home staff to have two doses came into force last November.
Omicron is significantly 'less severe'
The Government have said they are considering ending the policy because Omicron is milder than previous variants during the pandemic.
Simon Clarke, chief secretary to the Treasury, said it was a policy "we have always kept under review" and that the decision was made when the "extremely dangerous" Delta variant was dominant.
He told Sky News:
"We continue to monitor that situation very closely.
"What we know about Omicron is it is much more transmissible but less severe - any decision that is taken this week will reflect that reality.
"I can't pre-judge the decision that is going to be made but obviously we do recognise those realities, and that does open a space where we can look at this again."
Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to meet ministers on the Covid-Operations Cabinet committee on Monday (31 January) to confirm the U-turn, according to The Daily Telegraph.
It comes after the Department of Health and Social Care said last Monday there were no plans to change the policy following a number of reports suggesting ministers were considering an 11th-hour delay.
However, Mr Javid said on Tuesday that the policy is being "kept under review".
What you can do now restrictions have eased:
Face coverings scrapped in schools
The mandatory wearing of face coverings in schools has already ended, having been lifted last Thursday (January 20th). As a result, teachers and pupils no longer need to wear face coverings in communal areas such as in corridors and form rooms. Local directors of public health can temporarily reintroduce the mandate if the concern to public health is strong.
Face coverings no longer mandatory
It's not just schools where face coverings are no longer needed in England. Plan B introduced face coverings in any indoor setting, including shops, transport and other leisure areas like cinemas. This advice is now lifted, meaning you no longer need to wear a face covering anywhere in England. However, public health advice will continue to recommend you wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces.
NHS Covid Pass made voluntary
The need to show proof of vaccination to get into indoor spaces such as pubs, bars and restaurants is also ending today. From now on, you no longer need to show your NHS Covid Pass to show you are fully jabbed. However, many establishments might continue to insist you to show the Pass, even though it is no longer a legal requirement.
Work from home mandate ended
If you were told you had to work from home during Plan B, you will soon be back at work in the office, as the order to work from home ends today. This advice was made to stem the spread of the virus throughout the course of Christmas and the New Year in order to stop the spread of Covid; now that the festive season is over, the government has deemed it safe to get back into the workplace.
Masks still needed in healthcare settings
Infection prevention control guidance continues to require face coverings be worn in health and care settings, including primary care and pharmacies;
Self isolation still needed
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.