Return to ‘Plan A’: England lifts Omicron curbs

Return to ‘Plan A’: England lifts Omicron curbs

LONDON: Commuters trooped back to the office in England yesterday, with public transport visibly busier, after the government scrapped restrictions imposed to combat the Omicron coronavirus variant. The return to “Plan A” measures – ditching legal requirements for face coverings and shelving vaccine passports – comes as the number of positive COVID-19 cases has fallen sharply from record levels.

Infection rates are still high – more than 100,000 confirmed cases were recorded on Wednesday – but are plateauing, easing fears that health services will be overwhelmed. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said restrictions could be lifted due to “the success of our booster rollout, the tireless work of the NHS and the amazing public response”. But he urged more people to get vaccinated and warned: “The pandemic is not over. Everyone should remain cautious.”

Johnson, who was himself infected with COVID in 2020, introduced the so-called “Plan B” restrictions on December 8, after warning of a looming “tidal wave” of Omicron. Facemasks were required in all enclosed spaces and people were told to work remotely. Vaccine documentation to enter places such as nightclubs, football grounds and large-scale events was also controversially required.

In the British capital, public transport was busier after the restrictions were