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COVID CHANGES

Do I have to wear a face mask in pubs and restaurants?

MASKS and home working are to be scrapped after Boris Johnson announced that the UK had passed the peak of the Omicron variant.

And come March, all Covid measures including isolation are set to end.

A busy bar in London - pictured ahead of the curfew changes
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A busy bar in London - pictured ahead of the curfew changesCredit: PA:Press Association

Do I have to wear a face mask in pubs and restaurants?

You not have to wear a mask in pubs and restaurants, until January 26, masks are only required in shops and public transport.

People are still advised to wear coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when meeting strangers.

The prime minister also said the government would immediately drop its advice for people to work from home.

The PM said England was reverting to "Plan A" due to boosters and how people had followed Plan B measures.

He told MPs that scientists believed the Omicron wave had peaked nationally.

In a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, the prime minister confirmed mandatory Covid passports for entering nightclubs and large events would end, though organisations could choose to use the NHS Covid pass if they wished.

Mr Johnson said from now the government would no longer advise people to work from home, and that people should discuss their return to offices with employers.

Where do I have to wear a mask?

Until January 26, everyone in shops, museums and public transport in England has to wear a face covering - unless they are medically exempt.

Boris Johnson announced the Plan B measures in December 2021 after passing a parliament vote.

Under Plan B all but essential workers were asked to work remotely like they did between March 2020 and last July's Freedom Day.

People are advised to take lateral flow tests (LFTs) before entering any "high-risk setting", including busy areas and some workplaces.

Vaccine passports were also launched for large venues like football matches and nightclubs.

At the moment the definition of fully-vaccinated is two jabs rather than three, and a negative lateral flow test will also count.

Mandatory face masks - the third prong of the Government's Plan B - were already in force for shops and public transport since November 30, 2021, to stem the rising tide of Omicron.

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