So what’s changing... and when will it happen?
IMMEDIATELY WORKING FROM HOME
The Prime Minister said the Government is no longer asking people to work from home. He called on people to speak to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office.
FROM TODAY MASKS IN SCHOOLS
From today, secondary school pupils will not have to wear face coverings in classrooms.
The requirement to wear masks in corridors and other communal areas will end next Thursday, January 27.
FROM NEXT THURSDAY MASKS IN PUBLIC PLACES
From next Thursday, the Government will no longer legally mandate the wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport.
But they will continue to suggest masks should be worn in enclosed and crowded places where people could come into contact with those they do not normally meet.
The Prime Minister said this meant the Government will ‘trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one’.
COVID PASSPORTS
Proof of vaccination or a recent negative test will no longer be needed to enter nightclubs and large venues from next Thursday.
But businesses will still be free to use the NHS Covid Pass if they want.
BY THE END OF THE MONTH TRAVEL
An announcement is expected soon on scrapping the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to take a Covid test on returning to England.
No10 said the rules will be reviewed by the end of January.
CARE HOMES
Plans to ease restrictions on care home visits will be announced in the next few days. At present, care homes must impose severe restrictions on visitors for up to 28 days if there has been a Covid outbreak affecting two or more residents.
BY MARCH AT THE LATEST SELF-ISOLATION
Boris Johnson said he ‘very much expects’ not to renew the legal requirement to self-isolate with Covid when the rules lapse on March 24.
He said this could happen even earlier, if the data allows.
The legal requirement will be replaced with guidance that urges people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others.
BY JULY FREE TESTS
Free Covid lateral flow tests look set to be scrapped by July.
People will be pointed towards an online ordering system to purchase the tests, which cost £30 for a pack of seven.