Plan B measures aimed at tackling the spread of Covid-19 are to be dropped across England, the Prime Minister has announced.
Boris Johnson told MPs in the House of Commons more than 90% of over-60s across the UK had now had booster vaccines to protect them, and scientists believed the Omicron wave had peaked.
He said the Government had taken a “different path” to much of Europe and the “data are showing that, time and again, this Government got the toughest decisions right”.
People will no longer be told to work from home and, from Thursday next week when Plan B measures lapse, mandatory Covid certification will end, Mr Johnson said.
The Government will also no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere from next Thursday and they will be scrapped in classrooms from this Thursday.
The news comes as Covid infection levels are falling in most parts of the UK for the first time since early December.
The timetable
Immediately, from January 19: Guidance to work from home where possible has been lifted, in a move which could benefit businesses in town and city centres.
From January 20: Face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in classrooms.
From January 27: The Department for Education will remove national guidance on the use of face coverings in communal areas of schools. Masks could still be required where there are outbreaks, but only if Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi approves a request.
Nightclubs and other venues will no longer require a Covid pass for entry, although some may continue asking for one on a voluntary basis.
Face coverings will no longer be required by law in any settings, although guidance will suggest masks should still be considered in enclosed and crowded spaces.
March 24: The legal requirement to self-isolate if you have Covid-19 is expected to expire. The Prime Minister hopes to bring the date forward if the data allows.
