UK PM scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is scrapping of the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate.

Johnson confirmed that mandatory self-isolation for people with COVID-19 will end starting Thursday, and the routine tracing of infected people’s contacts will stop.

People will still be advised to stay home if they are sick - but will no longer get extra financial support introduced during the pandemic for those who miss work.  The government will also stop offering the public free rapid virus tests.

Starting April 1, lab-confirmed PCR tests for the virus will be available free only to older people and the immune-compromised. Everyone 75 and older will be offered a fourth vaccine dose, along with those 12 and up who have conditions that make them vulnerable to severe disease.