This week saw the lifting of Plan B restrictions in England. Venues are no longer required to request the COVID pass, unless they choose to, and the legal requirement to wear a face covering no longer applies. However, it is recommended that you continue to wear one in crowded and enclosed spaces while mixing with people you don’t normally mix with. Face coverings will be continue to be a requirement in health and care settings, such as hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes.
On the subject of care homes, restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of Omicron, such as limits on visitor numbers, will also be eased from Monday (31 Jan) at these settings. Read the latest advice.
Recent data shows that getting your booster vaccination provides high levels of protection against hospitalisation and significantly reduces your risk of death with Omicron. The findings show that around six months after a second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was approximately 60% in those aged 50 and over – this increased to around 85% two weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose.
If you still need any dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, you can book an appointment or find a walk-in centre – it’s never too late to come forward and get yours.
Restrictions may have been eased but the pandemic continues and we must continue doing our bit to protect ourselves and one another.
For more information read the full E-newsletter.