Boris Johnson is expected to announce this afternoon that he is lifting Plan B coronavirus restrictions in England as the Prime Minister steps up the fight for his political life.
The PM is meeting with his Cabinet this morning to finalise his decision before delivering a statement in the House of Commons, with work from home guidance and Covid passes due to be axed from January 26.
However, it is thought the Government will continue to tell people to wear face masks in certain settings, like on public transport.
It is currently unclear whether the wearing of face masks will remain a legal requirement or if it will only be guidance.
The announcement will be the latest move as part of ‘Operation Red Meat’ – a policy blitz cooked up by Number 10 in a bid to win back the support of Tory MPs and voters following the Partygate row.
Mr Johnson rolled out his Plan B curbs across England in December to combat the spread of the Omicron variant.
The regulations underpinning the Plan B restrictions are due to expire on January 26 and the Government committed to reviewing them ahead of that date.
Increasingly positive data means ministers are now confident they can lift work from home guidance and axe the use of Covid passes at large venues.
However, the expected move to retain face mask rules is likely to spark a Tory backlash.
Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister who quit the Cabinet in December over the imposition of Plan B, tweeted this morning: ‘It is good news if the Cabinet does decide this morning to lift some ‘Plan B’ restrictions.
‘But the job isn’t done if mask wearing remains in place. The evidence for masks is weak & the many downsides are persistently discounted. All Plan B measures need lifting *for good*.’
A Government spokesman said: ‘Decisions on the next steps remain finely balanced.
‘Plan B was implemented in December to slow the rapid spread of the extremely transmissible Omicron variant, and get more jabs in arms.
‘It’s thanks to the phenomenal efforts of the NHS and many dedicated volunteers that we have now delivered over 36 million boosters to people across the UK.
‘The Omicron variant continues to pose a significant threat and the pandemic is not over.
‘Infections remain high but the latest data is encouraging, with cases beginning to fall.
‘Vaccines remain our best line of defence and we urge people to come forward, to give themselves the best possible protection.’
The Government is now turning its attention to coming up with a long-term strategy for living with the disease.
Source: Daily Mail