Plan for living with Covid-19 to bring country ‘towards return to normality’

The Prime Minister has said his “living with Covid” plan will bring the country “towards a return to normality” as he intends to scrap the requirement to self-isolate in England.
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Boris Johnson will meet with his Cabinet on Monday, February 21 before updating MPs in the afternoon on his blueprint for moving out of the pandemic.

He said the proposal would be about “finally giving people back their freedom” after “one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history”.

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The UK was one of the worst hit Europe nations during the first wave of coronavirus in spring 2020, with more than 181,000 people having Covid-19 recorded on their death certificate.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in Carlisle. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire .Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in Carlisle. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, in Carlisle. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire .

The Prime Minister’s announcement will come just over 24 hours after it was confirmed the Queen had tested positive for coronavirus.

As announced on Saturday, February 19, the UK Government is planning to scrap the legal duty for those who test positive for coronavirus to have to self-isolate by the end of the week.

According to the Mail On Sunday (MoS), the requirement will be lifted by this Thursday (February 24).

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The newspaper said the Prime Minister will set out a timetable for scaling back the availability of free coronavirus tests – although older and vulnerable people will continue to have access to them, it reported.

Downing Street said the vaccination programme had left England in a “strong position to consider lifting the remaining legal restrictions”, with more than 81% of adults having received a booster dose, and Covid cases continuing to fall.

Speaking before his announcement on Monday, the Prime Minister said: “Today will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with Covid.

“It would not be possible without the efforts of so many – the NHS who delivered the life-saving vaccine rollout at phenomenal speed, our world-leading scientists and experts, and the general public for their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones.

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“The pandemic is not over but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others.”

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