Corona infected people in England will no longer have to isolate themselves in the future. The end of the government rule is part of the plan for “living with Covid” presented by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament in London on Monday. The government is relying on infected people to behave like people with a cold on their own responsibility, said Johnson. This is possible thanks to the successful vaccination campaign.
The peak of the omicron wave is also over, according to Johnson. From February 24th, those who test positive will no longer have to stay at home. Vaccinated contacts then no longer need to test themselves for the virus every day for a week, and unvaccinated contacts also no longer have to self-isolate, as Johnson said. From April 1st, the free quick tests will also be discontinued.
With the project, the Prime Minister is fulfilling the central demands of his Conservative Party. Johnson is under a lot of pressure over the “Partygate” scandal surrounding Downing Street lockdown celebrations. The opposition accuses the Prime Minister of a diversionary maneuver. Experts also criticized the plans in advance.
The government also no longer wants to financially support those infected with corona from day one with sick pay. That’s how compensation ends for workers in self-isolation, Johnson said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the pandemic is not over yet and that new virus variants cannot be ruled out. In addition, older and particularly vulnerable people in particular should be further protected. Health Minister Sajid Javid announced another vaccination – a “spring booster” – for over 75-year-olds, residents of old people’s homes and over 12-year-olds with immune deficiencies.