Boris Johnson has finally confirmed that the legal requirement to isolate after having a positive coronavirus test will be officially scrapped on the 24th of February 2022 and testing for free asymptomatic or symptomatic will end by the 1st April 2022. Routine contact tracing and quarantine support payments will all end by the 24th February also.

Mr Johnson outlined the success rate of UK’s vaccination programme when addressing MP's, stating the government could “lift our restrictions earlier than comparable countries“. He continued to say “it’s time we get our confidence back- we can rely on that sense of responsibility to one another. Let us learn to live with the virus and continue protecting ourselves and others, without restricting freedoms.”

The Government confirmed the COVID sick pay would be withdrawn from 24th March 2022. The £96.35 weekly SSP will return to being available on the fourth day of any illness, rather than the first.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon stated it would be “inexcusable negligence given ongoing risks” and the Welsh first prime minister Mark Drakeford had said that it was “premature and reckless” winding back the programme now.

As well as the above, free testing will be reduced from the 1st April, apart from for those who are the most vulnerable, mostly over-80s and those individuals with immuno-suppressing conditions.