Covid Plan B restrictions eased

From the 27th January 2022, Covid restrictions are being eased in England. It is tricky to keep up with the current rules as not all four nations of the UK have the same restrictions in place.

From this morning the following restrictions are lifted:

  • Face coverings are no longer required by law in indoor venues, some may choose to ask customers to wear them.
  • Mandatory Covid certification will end but again some venues may choose to continue this for their setting.
  • Local directors of public health are still able to recommend face coverings in communal areas of educational settings. This would be temporary.
  • As an infection control measure face coverings are still required in health and care settings, including primary care and pharmacies.
  • It is still suggested that in crowded places when you are mixing with people you wouldn’t normally mix with that you still wear a face covering.
  • You legally still need to isolate for 10 days if you test positive for Covid-19 with the option for leaving isolation after five days with a negative lateral flow on day five and six.

As we learn to live with Covid-19 there are a number of things the government advise we do!

  • Let fresh air in if you meet indoors, meeting outdoors is safer;
  • Get tested, and self isolate if required;
  • Continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet;
  • Try to stay at home if you are feeling unwell;
  • Wash your hands;
  • Download and use the NHS COVID-19 app;
  • If you haven’t already, Get Boosted Now;
  • Confirmatory PCRs are no longer required after positive lateral flow results;
  • Given the accessibility of LFDs, positive cases can end their self-isolation period after five full days if they test negative on day five and six; and
  • Fully vaccinated contacts can also avoid isolation by testing daily with LFDs.

For further information on what we are doing at Occupational Health Consultancy please see our Covid-19 pages on our website.