Covid restrictions lifted as Omicron threat declines in England

On Thursday, the majority of coronavirus restrictions in England were relaxed, including required face masks, after the British government announced that its vaccination booster deployment had successfully decreased serious illness and Covid-19 hospitalizations. Face coverings are no longer needed by legislation in England as of Thursday, and COVID cards for entry into nightclubs and other major venues are no longer necessary.

Last Monday, the government rescinded its recommendation to people who work from home, as well as its policy on facial coverings in classrooms.

The so-called "Plan B" procedures were put in place in early December to prevent the Omicron variety from wreaking havoc on health services and to give the public enough time to get their booster immunisation shot.

The government's vaccination rollout, testing, and development of antiviral therapies, according to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, provide "some of the strongest defences in Europe," allowing for a "cautious return" to routine. "As we learn to live with Covid, we must be clear-eyed that this virus is not going away," he continued. While the number of infections is decreasing, health experts say Omicron is still prevalent across the country, particularly among children and the elderly. Officials claim that nearly 84 percent of adults over the age of 12 in the UK have received their second vaccine dosage, and that 81 percent of those who are eligible have had their booster shot.

Admissions to hospitals and the number of persons in intensive care units have levelled out or decreased, and daily cases have dropped from over 200,000 around New Year's Day to under 100,000 in recent days. The spike of Omicron infections "has finally crested countrywide," Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated last week.

Some retailers and public transportation companies said they will continue to ask customers to wear face masks despite the government's move away from mandatory restrictions. Face coverings will still be required on London buses and subway trains, according to Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The legal obligation for those who have been infected to self-isolate for five days is still in place, but Johnson says it will be phased out soon and replaced with advise and guidelines for those who have been infected to be cautious.

Officials say they're working on a long-term post-pandemic strategy that will treat Covid-19 like the flu.

Virus limits have also been reduced in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all of which have their own public health standards.