Britain: Complete repeal of measures against Omicron

The complete lifting of the measures adopted last month in England to curb the escalation of the Omicron variant, announced Boris Johnson.

In a statement to the House of Commons, the British Prime Minister said that from Thursday next week, on January 26, the date of expiration of the regulations, the obligation to present a vaccination certificate for entry into places with large crowds, such as nightclubs, will cease to apply. entertainment.

The recommendation for teleworking will be withdrawn from the same day.

In addition, in a statement that most commentators considered less likely, Boris Johnson said that the regulation on compliant use of the mask in shops and on public transport would not be renewed either.

He noted that the government will continue to recommend the use of masks in crowded places, but "we will trust the judgment of the British people."

From this Thursday, moreover, the obligation of a mask in the classrooms for secondary school students will cease to apply and will later follow the abolition of the recommendation for the use of a mask in other school areas.

Restrictions on visits to nursing homes will also be eased.

Boris Johnson went even further, saying he did not expect to renew emergency laws allowing restrictive measures, such as the isolation requirement for those diagnosed with coronavirus and the imposition of a fine in the event of a breach of isolation.

The laws expire on March 24, with the British Prime Minister leaving open the possibility of asking Parliament to expedite that date.

Mr Johnson justified the move by saying that Omicron's cases were declining and that the newest pandemic was likely to have reached its peak.