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Coronavirus

19th Jan 2022

Self isolation rules set to be dropped in March, PM says

Kieran Galpin

Is March 24 the new Freedom Day?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the current self isolation rules will be abolished in March, but he wishes to bring that date forward.

Amongst the political noise surrounding Partygate, Johnson announced a series of covid-related changes to the UK’s current infrastructure. While the government reduced the isolation period to five days on Monday, they are now looking to rid us of isolation altogether.

Boris

The PM said earlier today at PMQs: “On Monday we reduced the isolation period to five full days with two negative tests, and there will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether, just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu.”

He added that when “covid becomes endemic”, they will need to replace laws with “advice and guidance”  that urges people to be considerate of others.

Later in the announcement, the PM clarified that “the self-isolation regulations expire on March 24” and he expects his government will not renew them. However, if the data points in that direction, he would “like to seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward.”

This came during a particularly fiery PMQs that saw a Tory MP defect to Labour and another call out Johnson directly.

The Tory former Brexit minister, David Davis, demanded the PM’s resignation in his scathing speech.

He said: “I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite of that.

“You have sat there for too long. In the name of God go.”

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