Speaking on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the end of Covid-19 measures as the latest data suggested the wave of infections driven by the Omicron variant was past its peak. The scrapping of the ‘Plan B’ restrictions means that Covid-19 passes will no longer be required in England and that people will not be asked to work from home whenever possible.
Boris Johnson has announced the end of all Covid measures introduced to combat the Omicron variant from next week, including masks on public transport and shops, work-from-home guidance and vaccine certificates.
The prime minister, updating MPs in the Commons, said the changes would come into effect from 26 January, the pre-set review point for so-called plan B restrictions introduced in December as Omicron swept across the UK.
The swift change has been seen as an attempt by Johnson to placate Conservative MPs angry with him over reports about lockdown-breaching parties in No 10 by introducing a move demanded by many backbenchers, including the Covid Recovery Group.
