Government Announcements on move to Plan B measures

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Wear a face mask poster

The Prime Minister has just announced a move to Plan B measures, as outlined in the Covid-19 Autumn/Winter Plan. Plan B measures will come into force while more data on vaccine efficacy is assessed. Moving to Plan B will help to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and reduce the chances of the NHS coming under unsustainable pressure, while buying time to deliver more boosters.

In summary, the measures announced yesterday are:

  • From 10 December, mandatory face covering rules are extended to most indoor settings (but will not include hospitality settings).
  • From 13 December, guidance is for people to work from home if they can. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to travel to their workplace.
  • From 15 December, introduction of mandatory certification for certain settings. This will mean a requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter certain high risk settings.

These measures are in addition to:

  • A continued push on testing, with a focus on testing to enable. This includes people testing before they meet others, socialise or go to crowded or enclosed places.
  • A continued push on vaccines and boosters – being fully vaccinated is the best way for people to protect themselves against catching Covid-19.
  • Continued messaging on ventilation – let in fresh air when meeting indoors.

For more information, you can read the government press release here.