Prime Minister announces easing of Covid-19 Plan B restrictions

Today (19 January), the Prime Minister confirmed that Plan B measures in England will expire on 26 January and we will return to Plan A measures in our national response to the Omicron Covid-19 variant:
• From today (19 January), the Government is no longer asking people to work from home. People should now speak to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office.

• From the start of Thursday 27 January, the Government will no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere. In the country at large, we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.

• From the start of Thursday 27 January, mandatory certification will end. Organisations can continue to use the NHS Covid Pass voluntarily but we will end the compulsory use of Covid status certification in England.

The full statement is now available on Gov.uk alongside further guidance, which includes information on what has changed. Additional information will be shared before 26 January.