Autumn/Winter Government Covid plans announced

He said a “Plan B” had also been prepared with measures “that we can call upon only if they are needed and supported by the data to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS”.

These include Covid passports, mandatory face masks and asking people to work from home.

But “more harmful economic and social restrictions would only be considered as a last resort”, the government’s winter plan says.

Asked what would trigger Plan B, England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, pointed to three things – the rate of people going into hospital, the rate of change of these hospitalisations, and the overall state of the NHS.

It is possible that the combination of the winter and the Delta variant may result in Plan B needing to be implemented, Prof Whitty added.

Mr Javid said the government would remove more of its powers in the Coronavirus Act, including those directing the temporary closure of schools.

However, those that are “critical” to the pandemic response, such as supporting statutory sick pay for those self-isolating, will remain.

Mr Javid said there would also be an update on rules for international travel ahead of a formal review point on 1 October – and he suggested PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers would be scrapped in favour of cheaper lateral flow tests.

Click here to see full 30 page Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 on gov.uk

Source: BBC