Restrictions To End As Omicron Is In ‘Retreat'

Covid restrictions can all be lifted because Omicron is “in retreat”, the Health Secretary has said.

- Macer Hall

Sajid Javid confirmed that the Government’s Plan B measures, including compulsory mask-wearing in certain places, are to be scrapped by next week while isolation rules will expire in March.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, the Cabinet minister said the restrictions on freedom had served their purpose now that the surge in the Covid variant had passed its peak.

Cheered

But he cautioned that the pandemic was “not over”, urging the public to continue to take care and be vigilant.

Mr Javid said: “Today marks the start of the next chapter in this country’s fight against Covid-19.

“Our plan was to use the time that Plan B gave us to give ourselves extra power in our fight against Omicron. That plan has worked, and the data shows that Omicron is in retreat.

“But it’s not the end of the road and we shouldn’t see this as the finish line. The best step that we can all take is to get vaccinated. It was the jabs that have got us this far, and the jabs can keep us here too.”

Mr Javid said official figures showed infection levels were falling in England and the Government’s scientific advisers believe the Omicron wave has peaked.

Earlier, Tory backbenchers cheered as Boris Johnson announced in the Commons that the restrictions will be lifted.