ON Thursday, the last of the temporary Covid-19 restrictions brought in following the arrival of the highly transmissible Omicron variant will be scrapped.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that the restrictions would come to an end, as the peak of Omicron has passed and infections are falling again.

The rules were brought in during December, when the highly transmissible variant of Covid arrived on British shores and spread rapidly across the country.

The changes, along with existing vaccines in people's systems and the rollout of booster jabs, helped to reduce the number of people falling seriously ill and dying from Covid.

But now, from tomorrow (Thursday, January 27) the final part of the restrictions will be dropped.

Last week, Mr Johnson said the work from home directive has come to an end, with workers told to get back into the office.

He also brought an end to the requirement for face coverings for staff and pupils in classrooms at secondary schools - but remained in communal areas.

From tomorrow, the legal requirement for face masks anywhere will be scrapped. 

However, people are encouraged to continue wearing masks in crowded and indoor areas, such as on public transport; while face coverings may continue to be required in hospitals and other medical settings.

People will also not be legally required to show their NHS Covid Pass to gain entry to venues and events.

Another rule change is due on February 11, announced recently by the Government.

From this date, fully vaccinated people (three doses) will no longer need to take a Covid-19 tests before or after arriving in the UK, but still need to do a passenger locator form.

People who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a pre-departure test before flying into the UK, and a PCR test on or before day two after you arrive in the country.

If it is positive, people are required to quarantine, and in all instances passenger locator forms are still required.

In Bradford, there are still an average of around 950 new cases of Covid-19 recorded every day, down from the 1,900 peak at the start of January but still way above the average from the prior five months of around 200 a day.

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