Boris Johnson has announced to Parliament his plan to end all Covid restrictions in England this week.
People who test positive for coronavirus will no longer be legally required to isolate from Thursday, while free universal testing will end in April under the PM’s plan for “living with Covid”.
Those who receive a positive Covid-19 test will still be advised to stay at home for at least five days, but will not be obliged to under law under the plans subject to parliamentary approval.
Routine contact tracing will also end on Thursday, as will self-isolation payments and the legal obligation for individuals to tell their employers about their requirement to isolate.
Mr Johnson also told MPs that changes to statutory sick pay and employment support allowance designed to help people through the coronavirus pandemic will end on March 24.
Here is some of the reaction to the plans…
From the Opposition and other MPs
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “Free tests can’t continue forever, but if you’re 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go you don’t sub off one of your best…
