Due to the success of our vaccination programmes, and with cases falling, hospitalisations falling, and the link between infection and severe disease substantially weakened, the Government has confirmed that domestic legal restrictions will come to an end on 24 February. Headline measures:
- From 21 February, staff and students in most education and childcare settings are no longer advised to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing.
- From 24 February, the legal requirement to self-isolate will come to an end. This means the self-isolation support payments will also come to an end, although people will still be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay for Covid for a further month.
- Until 1 April, people who test positive are still advised to stay at home. But after that, the Government will encourage people with symptoms to exercise personal responsibility, just as we do with people who may have flu.
- From 24 February, routine contact tracing will also come to an end, including venue check-ins on the NHS Covid-19 app. Fully-vaccinated close contacts and those under 18 will no longer be legally required to test daily for seven days.
- From 1 April, when winter is over and the virus will spread less easily, free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public will come to an end. However, free symptomatic tests for the oldest age groups and those most vulnerable to Covid will continue to be available.
- From 1 April, current guidance on voluntary Covid-status certification in domestic settings will also come to an end, and the Government will no longer recommend that certain venues use the NHS Covid Pass.
- This spring, an additional booster dose of the vaccine will be offered to people aged 75 and over, older care home residents, and those over 12 who are immunosuppressed.
As ever, if you need my help or have any questions, you can contact me at [email protected].
