Face coverings and COVID passes are no longer legally required in England, after the relaxation of Plan B rules came into effect in late January.
The Government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can and, as first was going to press, restrictions on visitors to care homes in England were also due to be eased.
There will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed at care homes, self-isolation periods will be cut, and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28. However, public health guidance urging people to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces will remain. Masks will still be required in shops, hospitals and on public transport in Wales, although most other restrictions are being lifted.
The UK Government said the Plan B measures introduced in December had “helped to control the spread of COVID-19, bought time to assess the [Omicron] variant and allowed the NHS to rapidly expand the booster programme to strengthen defences”. The return to Plan A in England was due to the success of the vaccination programme.
Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman, said: “As we look to the months beyond the immediate Omicron wave, we need to look ahead to how we support the nation to live with COVID-19.
“The LGA is pushing for local government to be engaged in the early planning stages for key areas including future boosters, service recovery, winter pressures and supporting communities to build back from the longer-term impact of the pandemic.”
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