Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the remaining Coronavirus restrictions will be removed from law starting on February 24th 2022.

Changes include:

  • Legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive covid-19 test will end. 
  • Self-isolation support payments will also end, although confirmed that SSP covid provisions could be claimed for a further month. 
  • Signalled the end of routine contact tracing and Government would no longer ask vaccinated close contacts and under 18s to test daily for 7 days.
  • Legal requirement to self-isolate will end for close contacts not fully vaccinated. 
  • Until 1 April the Government will still advise people testing positive to stay at home, but following this date would encourage those with covid-19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility. 
  • From 1 April, free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public will end. However, free symptomatic tests would continue to be available for the most vulnerable and oldest age groups.
  • From 1 April, Government will no longer recommend the use of voluntary covid status certification. 
  • Confirmation that all remaining 20 temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act would expire. 

The Prime Minister also announced that the Government had accepted JCVI advice for a spring booster to those most vulnerable to covid to protect against potential resurgence. 

These changes only apply to England.

Posted 22 Feb 22