We’ve delivered one of the fastest and most successful booster jab campaigns in Europe.
It’s thanks to amazing efforts of NHS staff that Omicron cases are now falling and we’re able to end the Plan B restrictions.
And we’ve managed to do all this whilst keeping society functioning as close to normal as possible. Our economy has also stood up to the test – outpacing the rest of Europe.
The Government deserves huge credit for this. We got the big calls right and can look forward to a bright future.
I've put together a short explainer of what the end to Plan B restrictions means for us in West Bromwich East, and about the Covid situation in general:
What's the current Covid situation?
Covid cases are falling across the country but are still high. The general principles remain the same - isolate if you have symptoms, test regularly if you're mixing with others, and wear a face-covering if you're in a crowded indoor place.
How are the rules changing?
From Tuesday 25th January, we will be reverting to Plan A, which means very few restrictions will still be in play:
- Working from home guidance dropped from yesterday (Thursday 20th Jan).
- Covid passports no longer required from next Thursday (27th Jan).
- Face masks in schools dropped.
- Face masks in the wider community dropped from next Thursday.
- Covid self-isolation stays although likely to go from March 24.
What are the rules for isolating?
- People self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative on both day 5 and day 6 and do not have a temperature, from Monday 17 January.
- Individuals who are still positive on their rapid lateral flow tests must stay in isolation until they have had 2 consecutive negative tests taken on separate days.
- This will support essential public services and keep supply chains running over the winter.
