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3 key things Britain needs to do to keep Covid at bay as Boris Johnson rips up rulebook
BRITAIN must do three key things to keep Covid at bay, England's top medical advisors warned today.
Professors Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance set out their latest guidance tonight as Boris Johnson brought the curtain down on Covid curbs.
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The Prime Minister put an end to months of draconian curbs this afternoon, saying it was now for ordinary Brits - not ministers - to decide how people live their lives.
The £500 self-isolation payments will end on Thursday, while the £96 sick pay handout for Covid-stricken Brits will be dropped on March 24.
And on April 1 the free testing regime will be wound down, except for the most vulnerable.
In Key developments:
- School kids will no longer need to be tested twice weekly
- Vaccine chiefs announced Spring boosters for over-75s
- The PM sent his best wishes to the Covid-stricken Queen
- Venues will no longer be urged to use vaccine passports
But the PM insisted Covid has far from disappeared, with Prof Whitty laying out three key measures to keep the bug at bay.
England's Chief Medical Advisor said: "We must have three things.
"We must have good surveillance[...] We must have the capacity rapidly to step up in terms of what we are doing and we must be able to protect the most vulnerable."
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He added: "Those really are critical things we need to maintain even beyond the next few weeks into the rest of the year and how we continue to manage this pandemic."
Surveillance
Sir Patrick Vallance went on to set out exactly why each of the key measures were needed, listing surveillance as the number one priority as restrictions are dropped.
The Chief Scientific Adviser explained Britain was "lucky enough to have a very good surveillance system" which can be used to pick up how bugs are spreading across the population.
He said: "We are lucky we have a very good surveillance system in this country the ONS study which is a way of picking up across the population what is happening.
"That detection system is going to be vital."
Capacity to 'step up'
Mr Vallance went on to stress the importance of reacting quickly if Covid cases rise once current restrictions are scrapped.
He said the ability to "ramp up" if something "goes wrong" is "absolutely crucial".
He added: "Remember how quickly Omicron took off - that tells us you've got a couple of weeks to get things back in action.
"Once you take things off, its going be important to know how quickly you can put them back on again."
Protect the vulnerable
Finally, the top scientist highlighted the importance of protecting the vulnerable once the Covid rule book is out the window.
And he urged Brits to make the most of the nation's trail blazing jab rollout, shield when needed and stay away if they have Covid.
Mr Vallance said: "Throughout all of that there is a section of the population that remains vulnerable at all times.
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"It's important they remain protected both in terms of their ability to protect the illness and getting anti viral treatment quickly."
He finished: "So detect, respond and protect the most vulnerable is absolutely crucial during a period of reducing the measures in place."
All your Covid questions answered
ALL your Covid questions answered after today's announcement
What are the rules on foreign travel now?
Today's announcement hasn't changed anything around foreign travel. P
I've got Covid symptoms - what do I do?
You should still isolate and and get a test if you can - but there is no law to do so. People will still be guided to stay home but no longer face a £1000 fine if they don't. From Thursday contacts of Covid cases won't be told to isolate or take daily tests.
Who can still get a free test?
People over 80 and people going into hospital will still be able to get tested. And those working in NHS and social care settings will also be able to access regular lateral flows.
If I have to pay, where do I get a test from and how much do they cost?
It's expected that lateral flows will be no more than a few pounds per test, and PCR tests around £80. You'll probably be able to get them from pharmacies or order them online.
Will my employer provide them?
If you work in the NHS or social care it's likely they will be provided for you. Some big firms may provide lateral flow tests free of charge to employees.
Can I ditch the face masks altogether?
It will still be recommended to wear a mask in healthcare settings like hospitals, but this is not law. Individual shops or businesses may ask that you wear a mask, but you can't be legally forced to.
What are the rules on foreign travel now?
Today's announcement hasn't changed anything around foreign travel. Passenger locator forms are still needed for anyone coming into the country, but these are expected to be ripped up in future. You will still be able to use your NHS app to show you've been vaccinated in order to travel abroad.
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