Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz & Harry Thompson & Sophie Finnegan

All of the Covid rules that will remain in place after Plan B ends on January 26

Boris Johnson has announced that the majority of plan B restrictions will be eased from next week.

That means that rules on face masks, Covid passports, and work from home guidance will be axed on January 26 as Covid infection rates continue to fall across the country.

It comes as the Omicron wave has peaked following a 38% drop in cases in a week, with the Government now preparing to return to Plan A, the Mirror reports.

Go here for the latest coronavirus updates and breaking Covid-19 news

During a press conference on Wednesday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Omicron is "in retreat" but warned it's "not the end of the road".

But as some restrictions lift, you may be stumped about which rules still remain.

All Covid rules that are being removed

By the end of next week, most of the elements of Plan B will have been dropped, however, it is worth noting most rules will remain in place until next Thursday, January 27.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on January 19, 2022 in London, England. The Prime Minister faces MPs in the House Of Commons as speculation over a vote of no confidence in his leadership mounts (Getty Images)

This is when mandatory certification for large venues "will end". Mr Johnson added that venues would have the right to choose to continue to adopt this policy themselves if they wished.

In addition, workers will no longer need to work from home, and face masks won't be a legal requirement.

"From now on, the Government is no longer asking people to work from home", Mr Johnson told the Commons. "And people should speak to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office."

Masks are no longer required in indoor public spaces from the 27th. "Once regulations lapse," he said, "the Government will no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere."

The Prime Minister has urged people to still "think about" wearing a mask when in public environments saying: "We will trust the judgement of the British people."

He added: "From tomorrow we will no longer require face masks in classrooms."

He also said they would be easing the restrictions for people visiting care homes.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Javid said this should not be seen as the "finish line", because future variants can't be eradicated.

He urged people to continue taking steps to keep the virus at bay, including washing hands, ventilating rooms and self-isolating if positive.

Those who have not yet received their Covid vaccinations are also being urged to come forward.

What guidance will remain entirely?

People with Covid-19 in England can now end their self-isolation after five days. (PA)

The need to isolate for five days after a positive Covid test and the requirement of taking lateral flow tests when travelling internationally both remain in place.

This means all current laws in England surrounding testing and isolation will remain as they are for now. If you experience symptoms you should isolate immediately and take a test.

Mr Johnson said that the overall aim was to remove the legal requirement for people to isolate after testing positive and replace it with advice and guidance as the virus becomes endemic.

In the meantime, the legal requirement remains in place. He said he hoped to not have to renew the self-isolation rules on March 24 when they expired and, if the data allowed, "seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward".

The current travel rules also currently remain unchanged.

In a press conference today, January 19, Mr Javid said that the decision to lift Covid Plan B restrictions in England was a vindication of Boris Johnson's response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

When asked at Downing Street whether the PM "just got lucky" when he chose not to impose further restrictions over Christmas, he replied: "The central decision that he made which was to absolutely focus on boosters has been vindicated.

"That is the main reason that we are where we are today because the Prime Minister made those decisions."

What are the Covid travel rules currently in place?

Travellers arrive at Heathrow Airport on August 22, 2020 in London, England. (Getty Images)

If you are planning on travelling to a different country there are several rules you need to take into consideration.

Before travelling back to England you need to book and pay for a Covid-19 test. This should be taken after you arrive in England.

This can either be a lateral flow test or a PCR test, and can be taken any time after you arrive, and the end of day two.

If your result is positive, you need to self-isolate.

If you're not fully vaccinated you need to book and pay for a day two and day eight Covid PCR test.

After you arrive in England you must quarantine at home or the place you're staying for 10 full days.

You do not need to do this if you're fully vaccinated unless you test positive on or before day two.

You also need to complete a passenger locator form before travelling back to the UK.

Remember rules may be different in various countries, so be sure to check before travelling from the UK.

For the latest local news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.