Coronavirus restrictions including mandatory face masks were lifted in England on Thursday after the British government said its vaccine booster rollout successfully reduced serious illness and hospitalization related to the Covid-19 virus.
Nightclubs and other large venues are no longer required to have Covid passes in order to enter, and face masks are no longer required by law anywhere in England.
In a recent move, the government recanted its advice on people working from home as well as its suggestions for classrooms to cover their faces.
As part of “Plan B” measures, which were implemented early December, health services were slowed down to allow people enough time to receive booster vaccines.
Sajid Javid, the government’s health secretary, said the vaccine rollout, testing and development of antiviral treatments made the country one of Europe’s strongest defenses and allowed a “cautious return” to normality. However, he added, “as we learn to live with Covid, we need to keep in mind it won’t go away.” While infections continue to fall, health officials say that omicron remains widespread across the country, especially among the elderly and children.
U.K. officials reported that 84% of adults over 12 have received their second vaccine dose, and 81% of those eligible have received their booster shot. The number of hospital admissions and intensive care patients have stabilized or fallen, and the number of cases has declined from a peak of over 200,000 a day around New Year to less than 100,000 recently.
Although the government has moved away from legal measures, some shops and public transportation companies have said they will continue to ask people to wear masks. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said coverings are still required on buses and subway trains in the capital.
There is still a requirement for infected people to isolate themselves for five full days. However, Johnson says that will end soon and will be replaced by advice and guidance about how to be cautious.
In an effort to treat Covid-19 more like a flu outbreak, health officials have planned a longer-term strategy.
