Final COVID restrictions in England could end a month earlier than planned, Boris Johnson says

Boris Johnson has said he plans to remove all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England a month early.

“Providing the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive, a full month early,” the prime minister told MPs.

The current regulations were due to expire on 24 March.

Under Mr Johnson’s new aim, the rules will expire shortly after MPs return from February recess on 21 February.

Opening Prime Minister’s Questions with the unexpected announcement, the prime minister said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with COVID.

Live updates as Johnson goes head to head with Starmer

“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”

Boris Johnson pictured alongside open bottle of alcohol at Downing Street Christmas quiz event amid ongoing partygate scandal

Health minister Gillian Keegan apologises for continuing in-person meeting despite positive COVID lateral flow result

Toyota: World’s biggest carmaker says COVID and chip shortage will result in 500,000 fewer cars being made in 2021-22

Former Brexit minister Lord Frost, who said he left Mr Johnson’s government at the end of last year due to the PM’s “coercive policies on COVID”, welcomed the announcement.

“The PM’s plan to end all COVID restrictions a month early is the right thing to do and is extremely welcome.

“I hope the government will also make clear we will not go down the road of coercive lockdowns ever again.”

As of the end of last month, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day five and day six.

The shock announcement to end all domestic coronavirus restrictions in just two weeks’ time comes as the the PM faces questions over his future in the job.

The prime minister is under pressure to apologise over his discredited claim that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile.

The already simmering row blew up further on Monday night when Sir Keir was mobbed by the group near parliament.

He was bundled into the back of a nearby police car as officers escorted him to safety.

As he was confronted, the Labour leader faced aggressive shouts of “traitor” and accusations of having “let Jimmy Savile off” and of “protecting paedophiles”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Although he condemned the behaviour of the group, Mr Johnson has continued to resist calls – including from among senior Conservatives – for him to retract his comments about Sir Keir.

The prime minister has, however, sought to “clarify” the remarks. His official spokesman said: “I think the prime minister was making a political point about taking responsibility for organisations as a whole.”

Meanwhile, members of Mr Johnson’s own party have submitted letters of no confidence in his leadership amid the ongoing partygate scandal.

The Metropolitan Police is currently completing a probe into lockdown-busting parties held in Downing Street and across Whitehall, after senior civil servant Sue Gray’s report into the matter found there had been “failures of leadership and judgement”.

Elsewhere in PMQs, Sir Keir accused the government’s financial support for household’s energy bills of being “a dodgy loan, not a proper loan”.

Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak says 80% of all homes in England will get a £150 discount on their council tax bill in April, while all domestic electricity customers will get £200 in October off their energy bills.

“The government is insulting people’s intelligence by pretending it’s giving them a discount, but it’s not, it’s a con. A buy now, pay later scheme, a dodgy loan, not a proper plan,” Sir Keir said.

The prime minister replied: “Our plan to tackle the cost of living is faster, more efficient and more generous than anything that they have set out.”

He continued: “Twenty-seven million homes, we’re giving them the equivalent of £150 rebate off their council (tax). Their (Labour’s) offer is for £89, ours is faster, more generous and more effective.”

Sir Keir also pressed the prime minister on the issue of fraud and accused the government of “turning a blind eye to scammers”.

“We’ve had lockdown for the last two years. Two crimes that people could commit were online fraud and throwing parties. As far as I can see, the numbers for both of those have gone through the roof,” he said.

Sir Keir added: “His cabinet turning a blind eye to scammers – is it any wonder that his anti-fraud minister realised no one in government seemed to care and threw in the towel?”

Mr Johnson replied: “Of course, this government and this country despises those who defraud people and that’s why we crackdown on fraudsters.

“And we have strengthened our anti-fraud taskforce, we are bringing forward an Economic Crime Bill but we also attach huge importance to tackling neighbourhood crime and crimes of violence, and I am very pleased those crimes are down 17%.”

Read Entire Article