Covid restrictions lifted in England

Date: Friday 21 January 2022

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The Prime Minister has announced that plan B restrictions are to be lifted in England. With immediate effect, the government is no longer requiring people to work from home if they can. Employers should start speaking to their staff about arrangements for returning to workplaces, whilst continuing to follow the Working Safely guidance.

From Thursday 27th January, face coverings will no longer be required by law in any setting, although public health guidance recommending individuals should continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where they may come into contact with people they do not normally meet will remain in place.

Also from next Thursday, venues and events will no longer be required by law to use the NHS Covid Pass. However, the Pass will remain available on the NHS App as some venues may still voluntarily choose to require proof of COVID status as a condition of entry to reduce risk for attendees and staff.

Businesses can find assets summarising these changes on the coronavirus resource website.

Separate guidance is in place for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The rules around self-isolation in England have been updated, allowing people to end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6. It is crucial that people isolating with COVID-19 wait until they have received two negative lateral flow tests on two consecutive days to reduce the chance of still being infectious. The self-isolation period remains 10 full days for those without negative results from 2 lateral flow tests taken a day apart.

Useful links:

• Covid-19 Autumn/Winter Plan for England - guidance for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure
• See all coronavirus guidance on GOV.UK

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