Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to announce changes to Covid rules in England as part of his Living with Covid plan today (February 21). Boris Johnson is expected to make a switch to individual responsibility, scrapping mandatory self-isolation completely.
He stated that Brits should remain cautious about Covid, but it would be up to individuals what they do. The announcement is due to take place today (February 21), which is just a day after it was announced that the Queen has tested positive for coronavirus.
READ MORE: The latest self-isolation rules the Queen will follow as she tests positive for Covid
(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Self-isolation scrapped
Self-isolation will be scrapped completely, even for those who have tested positive for the virus. This could come into effect as soon as Thursday (February 24), The Mirror reported.
A spokesperson from Downing Street said: “We’re not saying isolation is pointless. We’d expect anyone with an infectious disease to take steps not to spread that disease further – a colleague at work with flu, for example.”
Currently, those who have tested positive for the virus are required to self-isolate for seven days, which can be shortened to five with a negative test.
£500 self-isolation payment cut
The Government reportedly plans to scrap the £500 self-isolation payment, otherwise known as the Test and Trace Support Payment, which was introduced in September 2020.
This could end alongside the scrapping of mandatory self-isolation. The Government has not made any confirmations about the payment.
Lateral flow testing
Free lateral flow testing is set to be scrapped in favour of tests paid for by businesses and individuals. The tests have been estimated at £30 for a pack of seven, though the price has not yet been confirmed.
The Government warned in the summer of last year that Brits would have to begin paying for the tests sometime in 2022.
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Test and Trace and PCR testing
Whitehall sources told The Guardian that the treasury plans to cut the £15 billion annual Covid cost by phasing out free testing and the contact-tracing system.
Reportedly, health and social care workers and vulnerable people will continue to receive free PCR testing.
Passenger locator forms
Currently fully vaccinated travellers do not have to take a Covid test to enter the UK, but they are required to fill out a passenger locator form.
Reports say the Department for Transport plans to simplify the Passenger Locator Form, or remove it completely.
Statutory sick pay
Mr Johnson is said to be considering scrapping statutory sick pay from day one of testing positive for coronavirus.
£96.35-a-week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is usually only available from the fourth day of any illness. This was cut to the first day in 2020 for those who are isolating with coronavirus.
Vaccines for children
All children over five years old will be able to get vaccinated under new plans. This “non-urgent offer” to parents in England was confirmed by the Government along with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
There are reportedly no plans to create a major publicity campaign surrounding these vaccines and the choice will be left with individual parents.
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