Boris Johnson has confirmed that the Plan B restrictions will be torn up from next week as the Omicron wave appears to have peaked.
Compulsory Covid passes for large venues will be axed from Thursday, January 27 as the rules are set to expire in law at the end of January 26, the Prime Minister told MPs.
People will also no longer need to wear masks in shops and on public transport when the regulations expire.
"We will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet," Mr Johnson said.
"But we will trust the judgement of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one."
And from today, the Government is no longer asking people to work from home, Mr Johnson said.
Face masks will no longer be needed in school classrooms from this Thursday (January 19) and advice for them to be worn in communal areas will be removed "shortly" by the Department for Education.
He also suggested that the requirement to self isolate if you have Covid could be scrapped in March as part of efforts to end the remaining restrictions.
The move comes as the PM was battling for his political life, as mounting numbers of Tory MPs were openly discussing his future.
Easing Covid restrictions is reportedly part of "Operation Red Meat", an attempt by the PM's allies to appease angry backbenchers with popular policies.
Mr Johnson told MPs that the data was showing that the Government had "got the toughest decisions right".
He said: "Today's latest ONS data shows infection levels are falling in England and while there are some places where cases are likely to continue rising, including in primary schools, our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has peaked nationally."
Mr Johnson said England could now "return to Plan A" and allow the remaining restrictions to expire.
A shout of joy could be heard from Conservative former minister Sir Desmond Swayne when the PM said: "Having looked at the data carefully, the Cabinet concluded that once regulations lapse the Government will no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere.
"From tomorrow, we will no longer require face masks in classrooms and the Department for Education will shortly remove national guidance on their use in communal areas.
"In the country at large we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you don't normally meet - but we will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one."
