England is moving from the Government’s COVID Plan B to Plan A today (Thursday).
The rules introduced over the Christmas period due to the rise of the Omicron variant will lapse, with mask wearing rules eased.
The other nations in the UK are also moving to less stringent restrictions, but are not opening up to the level of England.
The advice for pupils and staff to wear masks in classrooms was removed on January 20, and work from home advice eased on January 19.
FROM 27 JANUARY IN ENGLAND
- Events and venues will no longer be required by law to use the NHS COVID pass - but can still use on a voluntary basis
- Face coverings no longer legally required by law in any setting, except public transport in London where they will remain mandatory. Public health guidance will continue to advise using face coverings in “crowded and enclosed spaces”
- Masks will no longer be advised by the Department for Education to be worn in communal areas - although local directors of public health have some leeway to reintroduce measures
- Any local introduction of face coverings must be routinely reviewed and “removed at the earliest possibility”
However, some companies and services are continuing to ask people to wear masks.
Face coverings will still be mandatory on some ferry services and Transport for London services.
Neil Chapman, Hovertravel Managing Director, said:
"There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering on our hovercraft and the Government suggestion is to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.
"As this is a personal choice, it is important to note that some customers may wish to continue to take a more cautious approach. We should all be considerate of this and provide the opportunity and space for fellow passengers to reduce close contacts and wear a face covering, if they wish.
"Our teams will continue to clean the terminals regularly and the craft handrails after each flight, alongside keeping the terminal windows open for ventilation and our hand sanitiser stations stocked for passengers’ use.
"We want all passengers to enjoy their journeys and if we can help in any way during your time with us, please ask one of our team."
Supermarkets Sainsbury's and Waitrose will be asking people to continue wearing masks in their shops.
On Tuesday this week, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that, from 4am on February 11COVID-19: Restrictions eased today as England moves out of Plan B and back to Plan A, there will be no requirement for vaccinated passengers arriving in England to do post-arrival lateral flow tests.
Those who are not fully vaccinated - two jabs, or a single Janssen jab - will need to test before they depart for England, and take a post-arrival PCR test, and complete a passenger locator form.
But they will no longer need to isolate, or complete a day eight test.
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