Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is preparing plans for a “living with Covid”Strategy to avoid any restrictions on long-term English citizens starting in March of this year
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Boris Johnson declares that the battle against Omicron is not over
The Government is working on plans to create a “living with Covid”Strategy to be launched in March. But what does it mean?
In an effort to restore some normalcy to the country since March 2020’s first lockdown, plans are in place to avoid long-term restrictions.
The Prime Minister will likely axe lateral flow tests in non-high risk situations, and reduce isolation periods.
It happens as the UK’s official Covid death rate has passed 150,000, a sad milestone that occurred Saturday.
The UK is now the seventh country to surpass this historic milestone, after the US, Brazil, Mexico and Peru.
In the UK, there have been more than 1.2 million confirmed cases in the last week as the Omicron strain ravages the country.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), last week, stated that it had estimated that one in fifteen people in England had Covid during the final week in 2021.
Boris Johnson insisted England would “ride out the Omicron wave”Britain is open to all without restrictions
Covid, according to the Omicron variant’s severity, should be treated as flu.
Chairman of the government agency, Dr Clive Dix, from December 2020 to April, believes that booster jabs should not be given to Brits who are most vulnerable.
He said: “It is pointless keeping giving more and more vaccines to people who are not going to get very ill. We should just let them get ill and deal with that.”
Dr David Speigelhalter cautioned that people should not be afraid to ask questions. “are going to catch it and might catch it again”It would be a challenge to accept.
We discuss all rule changes as Boris Johnson pushes to have the nation ‘live with Covid.
Scrapping lateral flows tests
According to reports, free lateral flow testing could soon be stopped for most people within weeks.
According to reports, officials are planning to weigh the test and make it available soon in “high-risk”These settings include hospitals, schools, and care homes.
However, government sources refute the report and say it is too early for us to know what will happen with the tests. Education Secretary Nadhim Zarhawi stated there were no guarantees. “absolutely not”Any plans to scrap them now?
This would also mean that the NHS Test and Trace Service would be reduced. Silver Screen Beatday Times reports.
For the isolation period to be reduced, please call
Nadhim Zahawi, Education Secretary, has suggested that the self-isolation period be reduced from seven to five consecutive days.
Top Tory stated that reducing the time it takes for people to get infected with the virus would help reduce isolation times. “certainly help”Relieve workforce pressures
Zahawi was the first Cabinet Minister in America to support a reduction in quarantine periods, which are currently in place in the United States for asymptomatic patients.
Mr Zahawi stated that the UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA was reviewing whether to place a five day quarantine for people with symptoms who have been vaccinated and tested negative for lateral flows for two consecutive days.
The UKHSA has recently suggested that it could be “counterproductive”As people leave isolation, they might still be infected – which could increase staff shortages.
Asymptomatic PCR tests are canceled
If a person tests positive for Covid lateralflow, they will not be required to have a PCR.
Although the rule change will impact around 40% of Covid patients, they will still need isolation for at least seven consecutive days.
The date that their positive lateral flow tests were completed will determine the beginning of the isolation period.
Currently, people must start their isolation period when they test positive for PCR. Results may take up to days to come back.
The time taken to perform the change – performed last January-March 2021 – will be cut by a few days.
Social distancing ditched in most surroundings
On July 19, most restrictions had been removed, and the two-metre social distancing rules were repealed.
The one-metre rule should be observed in certain places, such as airport arrivals halls. If you are positive for self-isolation, however, the one meter should still be enforced.
Face masks that have been reintroduced after being axed.
On July 19, the rules regarding wearing face masks were repealed. However, they were reinstated last month to combat the Omicron surge.
These rules are less strict and you can wear a mask in certain places.
The changes are not applicable to the hospitality industry.
Exemptions for face masks are available if you’re singing or exercising.
Refusing to wear a face mask in areas where they have been outlined as mandatory could land people with a £200 fine.
For travellers arriving in the UK, PCR tests are required
Last week, PCR tests and people arriving in the UK were stopped.
When Omicron was created in November, the Government had made tougher requirements for travellers.
The more expensive “day two” PCR tests upon arrival in the UK are now being replaced by the cheaper lateral flow tests.
The requirement to self-isolate until a result is received was also dropped.
