The Prime Minister has announced a move to ‘Plan B’ as set out in the Autumn and Winter Plan. Moving to Plan B will help to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and reduce the chances of the NHS coming under unsustainable pressure, while also allowing time to deliver more boosters.
The new plan includes:
From Friday 10th December, face coverings will be mandatory in most indoor settings and on public transport, including taxis. There will be exemptions where face coverings are not practical, such as in hospitality settings including cafes, restaurants and pubs, or in nightclubs and other night-time dance venues.
Staff in those mandatory settings will also be required to wear face coverings when they are in a part that is open to the public. Staff may also wear face coverings when working in settings where face coverings are not required, and businesses are encouraged to support them in doing so.
From Monday 13 December, people who can work from home should do so to reduce contact with others both in the workplace and on public transport.
Employers should discuss working arrangements with employees and encourage any employees who have to continue going into work to take regular tests to manage their own risk and the risks to others.
From Wednesday 15th December, visitors will be required to show their NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry to certain venues and events in England. People can acquire an NHS COVID Pass via 2 full doses of vaccination, or proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours.
Certification will be required in:
The Government will also introduce a policy of Daily Contact Testing as soon as possible as an alternative to self-isolation for fully vaccinated contacts of positive cases. This would break chains of transmission while also protecting against workforce shortages. Details on this are currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
Further guidance on all these measures will be available shortly on GOV.UK.
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