A file photo of a person dripping testing solution into a Covid-19 lateral flow testing strip (Danny Lawson/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)The news that the legal requirement to self-isolate is likely to be lifted early in England will likely have been met with a mix of joy and apprehension as we move towards the phase of living with Covid. The current regulations were due to expire on March 24 but Prime Minister Johnson announced at PMQs on Wednesday that he intends to lift them “a full month early”.
Mr Johnson said he would present the Government’s “Living With Covid” strategy when the Commons returns from its recess on February 21.
The Prime Minister is aiming to lift the rules shortly after, with his spokesperson saying it was likely to happen on or around February 24.
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, Johnson said: "It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.
"Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions - including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive - a full month early."
However, a Government spokesperson confirmed that this does not mean they would “recommend” that people go to work when they test positive for Covid-19, in the same way that they wouldn’t recommend someone go to work if they have the flu.
What do you think about this latest announcement by the prime minister? Do you support the legal requirement to self-isolate being lifted early? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below for the chance to be featured on the ES website tomorrow.
