Plan B ‘to end next week’ but masks may stay
Most Covid restrictions can end next week but masks may still be required on public transport, it was suggested yesterday.
Conservative Party chairman oliver Dowden said the UK appeared to be ‘emerging from the worst of omicron’, meaning Plan B rules are likely to end when the law lapses on January 26.
the measures mandate the wearing of masks in shops and public transport, as well as vaccine passports in nightclubs and large venues. People are also encouraged to work from home.
Mr Dowden’s comments indicate it is almost certain that most Covid restrictions will end a week on Wednesday unless the data shows up something surprising.
However, Downing street said no decision has been made and that it was possible some measures could continue – such as masks on public transport – if hospitalisation rates remained high in the north of England.
It came after cases halved in a week. England, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded 70,924 infections yesterday and 88 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
scotland’s figures were not included due to a ‘technical issue’. some 141,472 cases and 246 deaths were recorded across the UK last sunday. separately, Grant shapps is set to announce that Covid testing will be axed for fully vaccinated travellers in time for the February half term.
the transport secretary wants to allow the doublejabbed to go on holiday without having to take tests on their return to the UK.
Asked by sky News’s trevor Phillips whether omicron was now in retreat, Mr Dowden said yesterday: ‘We’ve seen some very promising data, whether that’s in relation to infections or hospitalisations, and that of course hasn’t happened by accident.
‘It happened because so many people have taken that booster vaccine and thanks to the drive that we gave it before Christmas.
‘We now have over 60 per cent of the total population covered with the booster vaccine and actually over 90 per cent of over-50s, so that gives us cause for hope and optimism that we may be emerging from the worst of omicron.’
Asked whether measures would be lifted in ten days’ time, the tory chairman replied: ‘It’s always been my hope that we’d have the Plan B restrictions for the shortest period possible. I’m under no doubt of the kind of burdens it puts on hospitality, wider business, schools and so on and I want us to get rid of those if we possibly can.
‘the signs are encouraging but, clearly, we’ll wait to see the data ahead of that final decision.’
He added: ‘It all seems to be heading in the right direction, particularly, crucially, in relation to hospitalisations which seem to be plateauing.
‘We’ve seen those very good headline numbers. I’m very hopeful and optimistic but clearly, we’ll await the data at the point of the decision before making that final decision.’
And asked on the BBC’s sunday Morning show whether restrictions would be lifted on January 26, Mr Dowden said: ‘I would very much hope so.
‘the indications are that everything’s moving in the right direction, but we’ll make that judgment at the point of the final decision, and that will be announced in the proper way.’
Meanwhile, a source close to Mr shapps told the sunday times: ‘We are looking at removing all Covid tests for vaccinated travellers by the end of January, which is likely to coincide with the review of the Plan B measures on January 26.’
‘Very good headline numbers’