Most Covid Rules In England To Be Scrapped As Infections Fall

London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2022 ) :The UK government announced Wednesday that restrictions reimposed in England last month to fight the surge in Omicron coronavirus cases would be lifted, citing data that showed infections had peaked.

Guidance advising people to work from home was lifted immediately, while from the middle of next week they will no longer have to wear masks in any setting or use a so-called Covid pass to enter venues such as nightclubs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is fighting for his political future amid a scandal over his staff partying during past lockdowns, told MPs the country's "extraordinary booster campaign" had made the change possible.

He noted more than 36 million booster jabs had been delivered, with over 90 percent of over-60s now given a third dose, while record case rates had dropped for several weeks.

"Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally," he added, while cautioning "the pandemic is not over".

"I encourage everyone across the country to continue with all the cautious behaviours that we know help to keep each everybody safe," Johnson said.

Some have claimed relaxing the rules is driven by the embattled leader wanting to please critics angry at the revelations that he and his staff broke Covid lockdown rules by holding numerous parties at Downing Street.

Johnson, who only has responsibility for health policy in England, reinstated the curbs last month to cope with what he called a "tidal wave" of expected infections from Omicron.

But facing restive Tory backbenchers, the prime minister rebuffed calls by some scientists to impose stricter measures, and allowed socialising and sporting events to continue unimpeded.

The devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland imposed stricter curbs, banning large crowds at sports fixtures.

Within weeks, Britain's daily caseload for Covid topped a record 200,000 infections in early January.

That placed significant pressure on the state-run National Health Service nationwide and spiked the country's Covid death toll, which is now nearing 153,000.