Boris Johnson has announced today that all remaining Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted a month early as long as positive data trends continue.
Mr Johnson made the announcement earlier during prime minister’s questions, where he revealed his plans to speed up the timetable to return the UK to pre-pandemic norms.
Under the current rules, anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for at least five days.
However this will be scrapped at the end of the month, a month ahead of schedule as long as the positive trends in the data continued, Mr Johnson said.
The government had originally earmarked March 24 as the date to end all restrictions, meaning the changes will now come into force before the end of February.
The PM said he would present the ‘Living With Covid’ strategy when the Commons returns from its recess on February 21.
He also confirmed that it would end the last domestic restrictions, including the threat of massive fines for positive cases who don’t quarantine at home for a full month.
Speaking today in the House of Commons, the PM 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.”
However the announcement has been seen by some critics as an attempt to appease right wing backbenchers, who want to see more done on post-Brexit reforms.
It also comes on the back of a number of letters of no confidence which have been submitted against Boris Johnson in recent weeks, by members of the Tory party.
