The government is removing the domestic restrictions in England for Covid, and this means that from February 24th, England will return to a pre covid state.
We can expect to see the following come into play:
From February 24th, the government will remove the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test. Anyone who tests positive, adults or children, will continue to be advised to stay home and avoid contact with others but will not be legally required to do so. After five days, it is the individual’s choice to take a Lateral Flow Device for two consecutive days to check for infection. If both tests are negative and no symptoms such as temperature are found, they can safely return to their routine. Specific guidance will be provided for those who work in high-risk areas, such as social care, prisons, and healthcare.
There will no longer be an ask for those fully vaccinated to self-isolate and test daily for seven days. Guidance will show precautions for those that live in the same household as someone who has Covid, but no regulations will be in place to force isolation of the spread. It is up to the individual’s discretion to take extra care and vigilance.
There will no longer be self-isolation support payments or national funding, and the medicine delivery service will no longer be available. Those who have been told to self-isolate before February 24th will need to claim support payments within 42 days.
The government will also be revoking The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations, meaning local authorities will be able to continue to manage outbreaks in high-risk areas. However, they do with all other infectious diseases in the same way.
From March 24th, the covid provisions for Statutory Sick Pay and Employment Support Allowance regulations will also end.