Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he is “cautiously optimistic” that Plan B Covid restrictions can be reduced next week.
Mr Javid told the Commons: “Eight weeks ago when this House last met for Health and Social Care Questions, the world had not even heard of the Omicron variant, yet since then we have seen a third of the UK’s total number of Covid-19 cases recorded.
“The action that this Government has taken in response to Omicron and the collective efforts of the British people have seen us become the most boosted country in Europe, the most tested country in Europe, and the most antivirals per head in Europe.
“That is why we are the most open country in Europe.
“I have always said that these restrictions should not stay in place a day longer than absolutely necessary.
“Due to these pharmaceutical defences and the likelihood that we have already reached the peak of the case numbers of hospitalisations, I am cautiously optimistic that we will be able to substantially reduce restrictions next week.”
The Government's Plan B restrictions - which include work from home guidance, Covid passports and mandatory face masks rules - are due to be reviewed on Wednesday, January 26
