All remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England could end this month.
It would include an end to the requirement to self-isolate following the confirmation of a positive Covid-19 test.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the news at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Under the current rules, anyone who tests positive must self-isolate for at least five days.
The current restrictions are due to expire on 24 March.
The latest Covid figures show Sefton with a rate of 623.4 Covid cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 3rd February 2022, a fall of 19.7% on the previous week. There were 1,720 positive cases in that week, a fall of 421 from the previous week.
Boris Johnson today told MPs he expected the last domestic rules would end early as long as the positive trends in the data continued.
He said he intended to return after the half term Parliamentary recess, which runs from Thursday until 21st February, to outline the Government’s strategy for living with Covid.
He 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.”
The law will be replaced with guidance, Downing Street said. For example, people will be urged not to go to work if they have Covid.
Rules for travellers coming to the UK are already being relaxed on Friday 11th February.
Fully vaccinated people coming to the UK will not need to take any Covid tests, and unvaccinated travellers will not have to isolate but they will have to take tests. Everyone still needs to fill in a passenger locator form.
People going abroad will still need to follow the rules that apply at their destination.
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