Face mask rules and Covid passes to end next week due to falling Covid-19 cases

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today that Coronavirus restrictions known as Plan B will come to an end on 27 January. This means people will no longer be required to wear a face covering, although the government is encouraging the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.

Boris Johnson was speaking about Coronavirus restrictions in the House of Commons this afternoon (19 January). He said that the change in restrictions had been decided by the Cabinet because 'scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally'.

Despite the head of the World Health Organization warning that the global pandemic is “nowhere near over” and the UK recording 94,432 new cases on Tuesday, Johnson has announced a return to Plan A restrictions.

He confirmed that working from home guidance would end today (Wednesday 19 January) and that employers should speak with their bosses about returning to the office.

Johnson also said that from tomorrow pupils will no longer be forced to wear masks in classrooms, while next week will see the end of mandatory mask-wearing, mandatory covid passes and the easing of care home restrictions for all.

The PM said: “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 the 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.

“So this morning, the cabinet concluded that because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public has responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire.”

 

 

People who test positive for Covid will still have to self-isolate under Plan A rules, but the PM did suggest that there will “soon be a time” where this is no longer necessary.

He said: "As Covid becomes endemic we will need to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance urging people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others.

"The self-isolation regulations expire on 24th March, at which point I very much expect not to renew them."