The British prime minister Boris Johnson on Feb 21 announced an end to virtually all COVID-19 restrictions across the United Kingdom.
During the Monday press conference, the UK PM confirmed that “all remaining domestic restrictions will be removed.” According to the Cabinet’s strategy, the lifting of restrictions becomes a part of a “living with COVID” plan. Sooner or later, the coronavirus looks to be endemic, the medical experts believe.
Commenting on the latest developments, Johnson emphasized how removing restrictions could bring Britons towards a return to pre-covid life and mentioned that the Kingdom needs to be able to live under certain rules. According to the prime minister, people will have to “learn to live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others without restrictions on our freedoms.” Despite the pathetic news, PM did say that it was “not a day to declare victory” over the pathogen originating in China in 2019.
In the UK, some restrictions will be removed immediately. Among them are obligatory tests, which staff and students in most education and childcare settings will no longer have to test twice weekly.
UK tries to return to pre-covid life
England had already lifted its mask mandate last month. Moreover, PM said, many restrictions will be lifted on February 24.
For instance, people will COVID will no longer legally have to isolate, though guidance will remain in place for those who test positive to remain home and avoid contact with others for at least five days.
In light of the PM’s decision, the employers got another headache because workers will no longer have to tell employers if they need to self-isolate. Routine contact tracing is coming to an end as well. Additionally, employers will no longer have to explicitly consider the virus in their health and safety risk assessments.
As of April 1, COVID tests will no longer be free for most people, though they still will be for vulnerable populations. COVID passports will no longer be recommended, except for international travel, Townhall has learned.
