Teaching unions are threatening to defy Boris Johnson and derail yesterday’s dramatic easing of Covid curbs in England by ordering children to continue wearing masks in schools, while business leaders cheered the return of workers to city offices.
Commuters from all over the country will soon be able to commute to work, for the first-time since the imposition of Plan B measures against Omicron last month.
Yesterday, Johnson made a statement before the Commons and announced that WFH guidelines would be removed immediately. He also stated that rules regarding masks in schools will be abolished starting today. Others restrictions will be lifted, including the requirement to cover your face on public transport or in shops and Covid cards for accessing large events and nightclubs.
The legal requirement that Covid patients isolate themselves will be freed from effect when regulations end on March 24, however.
The move could help appease Mr Johnson’s Tory critics after a ‘Pork Pie Putsch’ against the PM over the lockdown party scandal melted away last night.
But the country is split over the Government’s easing of curbs, with head teachers and parents set to ignore Mr Johnson by asking children to keep wearing masks in schools.
The PM was accused by unions of trying to save himself rather than relying on scientific evidence. They claimed the Conservative Party leader was flouting his ‘duty of care’ to teachers by axing the mandate.
The National Education Union warned against lifting Plan B curbs ‘too quickly’, saying it could lead to ‘more disruption’ for schools. Its joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted called the removal of masks ‘premature’, adding: ‘Rather than announcements aimed at saving Boris Johnson’s job, (the) Government should be exercising a duty of care to the nation’s pupils and the staff who educate them.’
Sadiq Khan swore war against the PM and ordered TfL customers not to wear masks while using London’s tube or bus system.
Britain’s top medics also insisted that scrapping Covid curbs at such pace ‘risks creating a false sense of security’ with the NHS still under pressure.
However, business chiefs hailed yesterday’s WFH announcement, calling it ‘great news for small businesses and city centres that rely on office workers’.
And nightclub bosses indicated that they won’t continue enforcing Covid passes after next Thursday, telling Radio 4’s Today programme that there is ‘no proof anywhere in the world that nightclubs are any worse than any indoor setting’ for virus transmission.
Schools will order their pupils to keep wearing masks inside schools in defiance of the Prime Minister
However, business chiefs hailed yesterday’s WFH announcement, calling it ‘great news for small businesses and city centres that rely on office workers’
Boris Johnson made yesterday’s statement to the Commons, announcing that WFH guidance will be dropped immediately and school mask rules would be repealed. Others restrictions, including the removal of compulsory facial coverings in public transport and shops, will be lifted next Thursday.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the British Medical Association council, said: ‘This decision clearly is not guided by the data. In December 2007, there were 7,373 people in hospitals in the UK. The latest data this week shows there are 18,9791.’
He warned that ending mandates on mask-wearing would ‘inevitably increase transmission’ and place the most vulnerable at a higher risk.
And Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation representing health bodies, said now ‘is not the time for complacency about this virus’.
Saffron Corery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, stated that trusts reported being expecting their peak this week despite the fact that there had been a decline in hospital admissions due to regional differences.
‘That’s why it’s important that there is recognition that this surge isn’t over, and that the health service is still operating under extremely challenging circumstances,’ she added.
Yesterday the Mayor of London warned: ‘Sadly this is not the end of our fight against the virus. Covid-19 remains a serious threat to our lives, livelihoods, and loved ones.
‘Wearing a face covering is one of the single most important and easiest things we can all do to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the Government should rethink their plans and keep legislation in place to make them mandatory on public transport as well as in shops and indoor public venues.
‘If we have learnt anything from this pandemic, it is that we must not get complacent and undo all our hard work and sacrifices. Face coverings are still required for carriage on TfL service.
‘I’m asking everyone in our capital to do the right thing and continue to wear a face covering when travelling on TfL services to keep us all protected and to prevent further restrictions from being necessary later down the line.’
The latest relaxation in curbs was welcomed by business leaders. Kevin Ellis, chairman of PwC UK, told the Times: ‘The No1 question I’m being asked from our people is when can we get back to the office – they value time with colleagues, alongside the flexibility to work from home.
‘After the last lockdown restrictions were lifted, it took us two months to get back to 80 per cent capacity. We’re expecting a faster bounce-back now – people know the drill’.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the easing of Plan B would be applauded by her members, ‘particularly those based in city and town centres which rely on footfall from office workers’.
Chris Hirst, global CEO of Havas Creative, told Radio 4’s Today programme that ‘many of our employees really do want to come back’ and predicted most of the UK workforce would be back in the office from Monday. He said that he was going to be speaking with individual employees about WFH relaxation.
Matthew Fell (CBI chief policy officer) said that “It is great news Plan B is ending and businesses will rejoice that we finally turning the corner on Covid-19.”
The virus is not a simple disease. We need more consistency and a better way to live with it over time. It has proved to be detrimental to move back and forth between normality and restrictions.
“The government must prioritise Covid infrastructure above interventions. It means more reliance on vaccines, antivirals and free testing.
“There is still work to do on rebuilding confidence and increasing demand. Omicron has delayed the recovery in key industries like hospitality and international travel. Now, the focus must shift to how we can stimulate and grow investment.
Mr Fell stated that hybrid working will remain as businesses seek to balance home-office work.
Jace Tyrrell is the Chief Executive Officer of The New West End Company. He added that “Office workers are returning to London’s West End and retailers, bars, and restaurants can look forward to an exciting year.” With the support of returning shoppers and Government alike, we are confident that the West End can achieve £7.5billion of turnover this year as it continues on the long road to recovery.’
Although the Federation of Small Business welcomed this move, bosses cautioned that it wasn’t all positive news against a background of rising taxes and business rates.
National Chairman Mike Cherry said: ‘We would now urge everyone to get behind small firms – be that on a commute, whilst working from home, online, or in-person – as they work night and day to recover from another incredibly stressful festive season.
‘Equally, it’s important to respect the house rules that each individual small firm has implemented to keep its customers and staff safe – many have invested thousands in making premises more secure.
“Small businesses and sole traders are ready to help us recover from the recession, just like they helped with last year’s.
“After the new import controls were in place this month, but they now face the prospect of a job tax hike, dividend tax increase, and bills for business rates coming to April.
“The government needs to be looking into policies that will enable small businesses and start ups to propel our economy on the right track again. It is unacceptable to impose a indiscriminate tax upon job creation in an environment with high inflation and a tight labour market.
This is after Covid case numbers dropped across the UK for the first-time since early December according to Office for National Statistics.
Mr Johnson said that while there are some places where cases are likely to continue rising, including in primary schools, scientists believed ‘it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally’.
Boris orders civil servants back to their desks as WFH guidance is scrapped: Prime Minister launches bonfire on Covid rules, and promises to eliminate ALL controls by March. This comes as the number of cases falls by 17% per week.
Boris Johnson advised civil servants to return to their desks, and to’show leadership’ following the demise of work-from-home guidance.
Yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister was that all Covid restrictions would be lifted in the spring. The Omicron wave continues to recede. Last week, there were fewer Covid cases, hospitalisations, and deaths.
Although measures such as compulsory facemasks and Covid passports will be discontinued next week, employees are still encouraged to go back to their offices immediately.
Within minutes of the announcement, civil servants received an email from Cabinet Office advising them to go back to work. Others departments were expected to follow suit.
However, there aren’t any targets for how many employees are at their desks or how often they will be present in the office.
Boris Johnson told civil servants that they should return to their desks after the removal of home-based guidance.
Whitehall was deserted last year amid government’s home-based guidance. This has been lifted since the announcement by the PM
According to the PM, the shift was crucial for young workers, especially those who are unable or unwilling to learn the skills and experience required from their home.
Johnson claimed that Whitehall needs to lead the charge and see to it that everybody returns to work.
However, there were some unions that expressed concern. The FDA represents civil service workers and said it was insulting to force civil servants to return to work for the private sector.
Dave Penman, the head of it, stated to The Times that he was a member.[Johnson]While the prime minister fails to recognize the innovative and flexible nature of the civil services in adapting to changing guidance, he also speaks about the possibility that the civil servant will return to work after a period when it was working at a flat rate.
“The notion that civil servants will be forced back in to office somehow shows a lead to other parts of the economy is insulting to businesses that have taken decisions to improve their profitability and efficiency.
What is happening now? And when will it occur? Boris Johnson, your guide to post-curb rules announces that Covid Plan B will be lifted
SEND IT IMMEDIATELY
Work from home
According to the Prime Minister, people are no longer required to work remotely. The Prime Minister urged everyone to contact their employers regarding arrangements to be returned to work.
NOW –
MASKS IN SCHOOLS
Secondary school students will no longer need to cover their faces in class starting today.
This Thursday will see the end of the requirement that you wear masks when entering corridors or other areas.
Schools will stop using facemasks starting next Thursday
TO BEGINNING NEXT WEDNESDAY
MASKS IN PUBLIC PLACES
The Government won’t legally require that you cover your face in public places or shops starting next Thursday.
They will still recommend that masks be worn in enclosed or crowded areas where it is possible for people to come into contact.
This meant that the government would ‘trust in the judgement of the British people’ and not criminalize anyone choosing to don one.
COVID Passports
From next Thursday, no need to show proof of immunization or negative results in order to be admitted into nightclubs or large venues.
However, businesses can still use the NHS Covid Pass at their discretion.
BY THE EXTEND OF THE MOMENT
TOURNAMENT
It is likely that an announcement soon will come out regarding the elimination of the requirement for travellers who are fully vaccinated to undergo a Covid screening upon their return to England.
No. 10 stated that the rules would be reviewed before the end of January.
Care Homes
In the coming days, plans to relax restrictions on visits to care homes will be made public. Care homes currently have to place severe restrictions on visiting residents for up 28 days when there is a Covid outbreak.
BY MARC AT THE LATEST
SELF-ISOLATION
Boris Johnson indicated that he does not expect to renew Covid’s legal obligation to self-isolate from Covid once the rules expire on March 24, as he believes it is very likely.
This could be possible even sooner, depending on the available data.
It will no longer be required to follow the law. Instead, guidance will encourage those with the virus and others to take care of other people.
BY JULY
FREE TEST
By July, free Covid lateral flow testing will be discontinued.
People will be pointed towards an online ordering system to purchase the tests, which cost £30 for a pack of seven.