All remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be lifted, starting from this week.
From Thursday, people in England will no longer be legally required to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.
It was announced as part of Boris Johnson's plan for the country to "live with Covid" and move away from government restrictions to "personal responsibility."
The guidance for students and staff to do twice-weekly testing has also been removed.
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Universal free testing will end in April whilst the over-75s and clinically vulnerable will be offered booster jabs in the Spring.
"Because of the efforts we have made as a country over the past two years, we can now deal with it in a very different way, moving from Government restrictions to personal responsibility, so we protect ourselves without losing our abilities and maintaining our contingent capabilities so we can respond rapidly to any new variant," Mr Johnson said.
The decision has proved controversial, though, with the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer saying the government's "half-baked" plan would "leave us vulnerable."
There was a cautious welcome for the move amongst shoppers the Manchester Evening News spoke to in one Stockport suburb yesterday (Monday).
What do you think of the plans? Have your say in our comments below
However, several people on Edgeley's Castle Street expressed serious reservations and also said they were dubious about the timing of the announcement, with Boris Johnson's own position being called into doubt due to the investigation into alleged lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street.
But Michael Sheehan, 56, who lives close to Stockport town centre, was pleased with the news.
"It needs lifting. It's been going on for too long now," he said.
"It should be left up to people.
"And if people have some intelligence and are sensible they will still look after themselves and stay in if they do have it.
"Some people obviously won't. Even when we had peak Covid there were people still going about doing what they wanted, putting people at risk but that just shows that rules don't always make the difference.
"I do still think it should be up to people's judgement and intelligence."
36-year-old Samantha Miller, from Adswood, agreed.
"To be honest, I'm glad. Although I do think we have been kind of bribing people into having the vaccine so we can lift restrictions.
"I have had both my vaccinations. It's been a bit personal for me as my mum has got cancer and I am a bit on both sides as I've been worrying about protecting her.
"I wasn't able to see her for over a year. With the lifting of restrictions, it's been bittersweet as I've been able to seer her again but am also worried about passing it onto her.
"You have got to think of all the people who are vulnerable not just yourself.
"I think one of the main reasons he (Boris Johnson) is lifting them is to take the pressure off himself and his cabinet.
"People have lost all their faith in him now but he's done that to himself.
"Ultimately I can see both sides. But I think we need to try and get back to some kind of normality. I know we may never go fully back to normal now but we need to try and feel some normality in our lives and this may help get things back to how they were."
Chris Carter, 55, from Offerton said: "I think it is a good thing definitely.
"I think people have moved on from it a bit now.
"You can see just walking around, only a few are still wearing their masks, even in the shops etc.
"I know if you catch it, it's a bad one. I had it and didn't move from the sofa for four days which isn't like me.
"But I think the precedent has been set now with this partying and I don't know how much people would give a toss about more rules.
"You also have to remember people have a lot to lose financially by self-isolating."
But others weren't so sure about the changes.
Jean Burke, 81, from Edgeley, was one of those still wearing her mask on the high street yesterday.
"I don't think they should do it," she said.
"I think it will all go wrong again. I don't have to wear my mask when but I still do.
"I think he's doing it on purpose because of what's come out about these parties.
"It's still there and it's still about. I wouldn't take the risk."
Others agreed with Jean - including Jackie Waldrom, 26, who said: "I just think it's absolutely crazy to do that.
"That's really all I can say.
"It's a case of putting economy over people's lives.
"I will still be being cautious and doing what I can."
And Noah Erhardt, 26, said: "You couldn't print what I think of it."
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