Sajid Javid scraps mandatory Covid-19 vaccines for NHS and social care workers
Health workers in England were meant to be fully vaccinated by April
Last updated 27th May 2022
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has 'revoked' mandatory Covid-19 vaccines for NHS and social care workers.
Its after Mr Javid told the Health and Social Care Select Committee on Tuesday (25 January) that it was right to "reflect" on the policy now Omicron was dominant.
Frontline NHS and wider social care staff would need their first dose by Thursday ( 3 February) in order to be double jabbed by April 1, and there have been protests and calls for the policy to be delayed. A major staffing crisis would happen otherwise.
Yesterday in parliament, he announced the government’s U-turn on mandatory Covid-19 vaccines for NHS health and social care workers.
In the House of Commons, Mr Javid said:
"Today I am announcing that we will launch a consultation on ending Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment in health and all social care settings.
"Subject to the responses – and the will of this House – the Government will revoke the regulations.
"I have always been clear that our rules must remain proportionate and balanced – and of course, should we see another dramatic change in the virus, it would be responsible to review this policy again."
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.