Everything you need to know about the new Plan A Covid rules

As the country prepares to ‘live with Covid-19’, the strict rules are slowly being phased out.

Plan A will replace Plan B – the current set of restrictions that England is under – but what does the new plan entail?

What are the new Plan A rules?

Face masks

Masks are being phased out under new plans.

From today, January 20, secondary school pupils no longer need to wear the coverings while they are in classrooms.

Some organisations may choose to still enforce face masks.

For example, London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that the coverings must still be worn on all Transport for London (TfL) stations and services – including all tubes, trains, and buses.

If you do not wear a mask you could be denied travel, or receive a minimum £200 fine (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) which will double each time, up to £6,400.

Covid vaccine passes

Mandatory Covid-19 vaccination status certification will end on January 27, meaning you will no longer need to show proof of vaccination to get into nightclubs and other venues.

However, businesses are allowed to continue using them if they choose.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid previously said the government was reviewing the definition of fully vaccinated, and may decide to increase this from two jabs to three – so this would include the booster jab.

Work from home

The work from home (WFH) order was lifted on January 19, with thousands having already embarked on their first commute to the office this morning.

Workers are instructed to speak to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office.

It is up to the discretion of the workplace to decide whether their employees should return to the office, or if they choose to introduce some kind of flexible working system.

However, Mr Johnson confirmed his intention to end the legal requirement for people to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid-19 within the next few months.

He told MPs on Wednesday: ‘The self-isolation regulations expire on March 24, at which point I very much expect not to renew them.

‘Indeed, were the data to allow, I’d like to seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward.’

Mr Johnson stressed that, until then, ‘it is still a legal requirement for those who have tested positive for Covid to self-isolate.’

Earlier this month, England’s isolation period was slashed from seven to just five days.