England lifts COVID-19 restrictions as Omicron threat recedes
Most COVID-19 restrictions including mandatory face masks were lifted in England on Thursday, after Britain’s government said its vaccine booster rollout successfully reduced serious illness and hospitalizations.
From Thursday, face masks are no longer required by law anywhere in England, and a legal requirement for COVID-19 passes for entry into nightclubs and other large venues has been scrapped.
The government last week dropped its advice for people to work from home as well as guidance for face coverings in classrooms. From next week, restrictions on the number of visitors to nursing homes will also be lifted.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which make their own public health rules, have similarly relaxed their virus restrictions.
But he added that “as we learn to live with COVID, we need to be clear eyed that this virus is not going away.” While infections continue to fall, health officials said that Omicron remained prevalent across the country, especially among children and the elderly.
