Boris Johnson announces easing of Covid restrictions
The easing of restrictions will take effect from next week
Last updated 27th May 2022
Boris Johnson has announced that coronavirus restrictions will be eased in England from next week.
The Prime Minister made the announcement that the Plan B restrictions, which were introduced in mid-December, would be withdrawn on January 26th.
He announced the change in the House of Commons today following fiery exchanges during Prime Minister's Questions over the 'partygate' row.
Which Covid restrictions are changing?
The Prime Minister announced that 'Plan B' restrictions are being withdrawn, with government restrictions in England being changed back to 'Plan A'.
Boris Johnson announced that:
- Mask wearing will no longer be compulsory, pupils in classrooms can stop wearing them from tomorrow.
- 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
Pandemic not over yet
The Prime Minister said self-isolation for people testing positive for Covid-19 will still be a legal requirement
“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.
Boris Johnson also urged people to be cautious, particularly in the last few months of winter: “We must all remain cautious during these last weeks of winter. There are still over 16,000 people in hospital in England alone. The pandemic is not over.”
Mr Johnson insisted Omicron is “not a mild disease for everyone”, including the unvaccinated, and advised people to continue washing their hands, letting fresh air in, testing and self-isolating if positive.
Omicron wave is 'likely to have peaked'
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced England will return to Plan A after claiming “our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally”.
He told the House of Commons: “Today’s latest ONS data show clearly that infection levels are falling in England and while there are some places where cases are likely to continue rising, including in primary schools, our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally.
“There remain, of course, significant pressures on the NHS across our country, and especially in the North East and North West, but hospital admissions which were doubling every nine days just two weeks ago have now stabilised, with admissions in London even falling. The numbers in intensive care not only remain low but are actually also falling.”
Mr Johnson added: “So, this morning, the Cabinet concluded that because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire.
Facemasks regulation changes
Boris Johnson told the Commons: “Having looked at the data carefully, the Cabinet concluded that once regulations lapse the Government will no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere.
“From tomorrow, we will no longer require face masks in classrooms and the Department for Education will shortly remove national guidance on their use in communal areas.
“In the country at large we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet – but we will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one.”
Boris Johnson faces MPs
Mr Johnson faced MPs for Prime Minister’s Questions today.
In a question to Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “Last week he said he didn’t realise he was at a party and surprise, surprise no-one believed him.
“So this week he has got a different defence – nobody warned him that it was against the rules.”
He added: “Why on earth does he think his new defence is going to work?”
Boris Johnson replied: “Of course, we must wait for the outcome of the investigation but I believe what I have said.
Labour leader Keir Starmer also welcomed Christian Wakeford to the Labour benches, saying: “The Labour Party has changed and so has the Conservative Party. He and anyone else who wants to build a new Britain built on decency, security … is welcomed in my Labour Party.”
What restrictions were introduced with Plan B?
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."