Boris Johnson ‘to scrap self-isolation rules on MONDAY’ as England to end restrictions and declare victory over Covid
BORIS Johnson is reportedly set to scrap self-isolation rules on Monday as England prepares to end all restrictions and declare victory over Covid. The PM is expected to set out his plan for getting back to normal after the pandemic. He will bring forward the plan – Living With Covid – when Parliament returns back from […]
BORIS Johnson is reportedly set to scrap self-isolation rules on Monday as England prepares to end all restrictions and declare victory over Covid.
The PM is expected to set out his plan for getting back to normal after the pandemic.
He will bring forward the plan – Living With Covid – when Parliament returns back from half term recess on Monday.
And in a bonfire of domestic lockdown curbs, Brits will no longer be legally required to isolate for five days if they catch coronavirus.
The Covid restrictions across the UK have gradually been pulled back in recent months, with the red travel list axed and rules on mask wearing relaxed.
The PM announced his intention to scrap self-isolation rules earlier this month.
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Speaking in the Commons during PMQs, Mr Johnson said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.
“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”
The scrapping of self-isolation regulations means millions of kids will be free to stay in school rather than be sent home repeatedly because of symptoms that are usually no more than a cold.
It comes as Covid tests for schoolchildren in England will also be ditched next week.
The guidance will instead focus on ventilation and other safety measures to keep kids and teachers safe.
Meanwhile, councils will be stripped of emergency powers that lets them close businesses they deem a risk.
On the same day the last domestic laws are scrapped, No 10 also wants to tear up the final Covid border controls.
Hated passenger locator forms and rules forcing unvaccinated travellers to get two tests before being allowed into Britain will be binned, as long as scientists agree.
And the daily Covid dashboard, which for two years has illustrated the tragic death toll of the virus, could be replaced with weekly surveillance data.
The PM’s spokesman hailed the public for getting the nation through the toughest period in its history since the Second World War.
‘IMPORTANT STEP’
He said earlier this month: “This would represent an important step for this country as we move out of the pandemic.
“It’s thanks to the British people, who stepped up when needed, both at the start of the vaccination programme and the booster programme at Christmas.
“A boon both for the public and also to our hard hit businesses, particularly in hospitality, enabling our economy to grow further, showing that the hard work has paid off.”
Provided scientists give Mr Johnson the go-ahead, he plans to scrap all remaining domestic laws and Covid border controls on February 24.
Free lateral flow tests will continue for a while longer but they are expected to be stopped at the end of March, when current funding for them runs out.
Mr Johnson’s decision piles pressure on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to name a date on which they will ditch legal curbs.
But Scottish ministers have said instead of ending restrictions they could extend the powers, which are due to conclude on February 28, for another six months.
