UK lifts COVID restrictions, says omicron wave ‘has peaked’
2 years, 11 months ago

UK lifts COVID restrictions, says omicron wave ‘has peaked’

Associated Press  

LONDON — Face masks will no longer be mandatory in public places and COVID-19 passports will be dropped for large events as infections level off in most parts of the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday. Johnson told lawmakers that the restrictions were being eased because government scientists think it is likely that the surge of infections prompted by the highly contagious omicron variant “has now peaked nationally.” While hospitals in northern England still are getting pressed by high caseloads and infections were still rising in schools, Johnson said hospital admissions and patients in intensive care units elsewhere in England were stabilizing or falling. “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,” Johnson said. Johnson’s spokesman said the government would publish such a plan “shortly.” “There’s a vital need now for greater consistency in how we live with the virus in the longer term.

England British Johnson Longer Face Masks  pandemic  lifts  peaked  covid  masks  british  uk  infections  face  longer  wave  omicron  restrictions  johnson  covid19  england

History of this topic

NHS hospitals reintroduce face mask requirement as soaring flu cases see critical incidents declared
5 days, 8 hours ago

NHS hospitals reintroduce face mask requirement as soaring flu cases see critical incidents declared

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Multiple NHS hospitals have reintroduced a requirement to wear face masks …

Spain brings back mandatory facemasks in hospitals as Covid spikes again
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Spain brings back mandatory facemasks in hospitals as Covid spikes again

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Hospitals forced to reintroduce masks after spike in Covid admissions
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Hospitals forced to reintroduce masks after spike in Covid admissions

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Figures published by the NHS also show the number …

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last year
1 year, 1 month ago

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last year

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England have fallen and …

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE
1 year, 2 months ago

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE

India TV News  

As winter approaches, health authorities in the United Kingdom have issued a warning for its citizens to prepare for another wave of COVID-19. UK Health Security Agency has claimed that the cases will 'further increase' as the season progresses, along with other 'winter respiratory viruses like flu'. As we enter the colder months and people begin to mix more indoors, …

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.
1 year, 4 months ago

Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.

LA Times  

Despite rising coronavirus outbreaks across Los Angeles County, officials said they have no plans for new public mask mandates — a sign of how COVID-19 policies have changed in an era of plentiful vaccines, lower death rates and back-to-normal culture. “We have such good tools right now that we really shouldn’t get there.” California COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across …

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists
1 year, 4 months ago

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Rates have risen since early July Prof Pagel predicted the …

With COVID-19 ‘over’, applying the lessons learnt
1 year, 8 months ago

With COVID-19 ‘over’, applying the lessons learnt

The Hindu  

Approximately 1,192 days since January 30, 2020, when COVID-19 was announced as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, the World Health Organization, on May 5, 2023, declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern. Misinformation during the second wave In April-May 2021, there was a COVID-19 misinformation blitzkrieg: that a ‘third wave in India …

Covid spike in Mumbai, experts suggest mask mandate for people aged 45 and above
1 year, 8 months ago

Covid spike in Mumbai, experts suggest mask mandate for people aged 45 and above

India Today  

The Mumbai civic body on Monday made face masks compulsory for patients, visitors and employees in all civic-run hospitals as the city reported 95 fresh cases, a drop from more than 200 infections registered daily in the last six days. As Covid cases continue to rise in the city, medical experts are suggesting that masks should be made mandatory for …

Covid symptoms UK: 10 most common symptoms as UK cases rise
1 year, 9 months ago

Covid symptoms UK: 10 most common symptoms as UK cases rise

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery People walk past messages written on The National Covid Memorial Wall, …

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year
1 year, 9 months ago

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The final official estimates of Covid-19 in the UK show …

Covid Restrictions creep back into American life - as Michigan and Massachusetts begin Mask Mandates
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid Restrictions creep back into American life - as Michigan and Massachusetts begin Mask Mandates

Daily Mail  

Hundreds of thousands more students across the US have been placed under Covid restrictions as schools and colleges bring back mask and testing mandates. It means more than 600,000 students are living with Covid rules — despite little evidence that they reduce transmission — after students in New Jersey and Pennsylvania were also put under mask mandates last week. Superintendent …

Covid: People urged to wear masks and stay at home if unwell as NHS under immense pressure
2 years ago

Covid: People urged to wear masks and stay at home if unwell as NHS under immense pressure

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In “back-to-school advice” issued on Monday, the UKHSA warned that flu and Covid are currently …

Could the UK impose new Covid travel restrictions?
2 years ago

Could the UK impose new Covid travel restrictions?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Pre-departure testing and the requirement to show a negative test result has been shown to decrease the number of infected …

COVID-19 guidelines: Uttarakhand makes 'mask' compulsory in schools amid rising cases
2 years ago

COVID-19 guidelines: Uttarakhand makes 'mask' compulsory in schools amid rising cases

India TV News  

Uttarakhand COVID-19 guidelines : The state of Uttarakhand has made mask compulsory in schools amid rising COVID-19 cases in many countries of the world. According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today, the total recovery rate reached at around 98.80 per cent and total recoveries data reached to 4,41,43,665. The total active cases of COVID-19 in India …

‘Mixed picture’ for Covid infections but rise in England may have levelled off
2 years, 2 months ago

‘Mixed picture’ for Covid infections but rise in England may have levelled off

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected

Hindustan Times  

Coronavirus cases are rising in the UK with infections increasing in all regions in England in the last week, except the northeast, Sky News reported quoting government experts. This marks the fourth consecutive increase in infections in England as the estimated number of people testing positive for Covid was 1,513,700, equating to 2.78 per cent of the population. "Infections have …

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+
2 years, 2 months ago

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+

NL Times  

Companies and organizations don’t have to take measures against the coronavirus yet but are free to do so if they wish. People between the ages of 40 and 60 can make an appointment next week, and “in principle the week after,” everyone from 12 to 40 can do so, Kuipers said. But according to Kuipers, it is ‘not yet necessary …

Covid-19 UK: Coronavirus infections jump 29% in a week in England
2 years, 3 months ago

Covid-19 UK: Coronavirus infections jump 29% in a week in England

Daily Mail  

Health chiefs have started cranking up their Covid advice as the virus continues its resurgence ahead of the winter. The figure was up 29 per cent on the 857,400 thought to have the virus daily in the week before Covid was most prevalent in the over-70s, of whom 2.5 per cent tested positive for the virus in the most recent …

Return of the mask! Five NHS trusts have already brought back mandatory face covering rules
2 years, 3 months ago

Return of the mask! Five NHS trusts have already brought back mandatory face covering rules

Daily Mail  

At least five NHS trusts in England have brought back mask requirements due to Covid's resurgence, MailOnline can reveal. Some are also telling patients to wear masks and reimposing social distancing guidelines, in scenes reminiscent of the earliest days of the pandemic It comes as Kate Middleton was pictured wearing a mask today while on a visit to Royal Surrey …

Don't ditch those masks! New COVID surge in U.K. shows what's waiting for us this fall
2 years, 3 months ago

Don't ditch those masks! New COVID surge in U.K. shows what's waiting for us this fall

Raw Story  

I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but here in our small town on the edge of the Poconos, fall is finally here. COVID numbers are as hard to find as people wearing masks in the supermarket, even though health care experts say the current statistics are likely a "massive underestimate," according to U.S. News, …

Queensland's COVID-19 mandate for masks on public transport to be scrapped
2 years, 3 months ago

Queensland's COVID-19 mandate for masks on public transport to be scrapped

ABC  

Queensland is ending the requirement for people to wear face masks while on public transport. Key points: The rule will be relaxed for staff and commuters from midnight The Health Minister asked the public to respect those who chose to continue wearing masks Masks will still be required in vulnerable settings, by close contacts and those who have left just …

Singapore to drop most indoor face mask rules next week as Covid-19 situation stabilises
2 years, 4 months ago

Singapore to drop most indoor face mask rules next week as Covid-19 situation stabilises

Hindustan Times  

Singapore will do away with requirements to wear masks indoors starting Aug. 29, as the country sees its Covid-19 situation stabilise further, the health minister said on Wednesday. Singapore to drop most indoor facemask rules next week as Covid-19 situation stabilises For the first time in more than two years, people in the Southeast Asian city-state will no longer be …

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week

The Telegraph  

Covid-19 infections in the UK have jumped by nearly 800,000 in a week, with some parts of the country nearing the record levels seen during the spring. This is the highest estimate for total infections since mid-April, but is still below the record of 4.9 million seen at the peak of the omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March. …

Covid restrictions could return if rising cases make NHS backlog worse
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid restrictions could return if rising cases make NHS backlog worse

The Telegraph  

NHS organisations in Sussex, Norfolk and Norwich and the Midlands said the increase in cases in their communities necessitated a return to mask-wearing. The number of people in hospital in England who have tested positive for Covid has climbed to its highest level for nearly three months. However, while patient numbers are up week-on-week by 25 per cent, the rate …

Health experts say COVID-19 complacency has restricted freedoms of the immunocompromised and elderly
2 years, 5 months ago

Health experts say COVID-19 complacency has restricted freedoms of the immunocompromised and elderly

ABC  

From the isolation of her Melbourne home, Carol Davy fights a day-to-day battle against ovarian cancer and systemic lupus. Key points: Australia's COVID hospitalisation rates have spiked back to February highs Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has shot down any reintroduction of mask mandates Health experts say Australia's COVID complacency is leading to higher transmission rates With COVID-19 still casting …

Australia drops Covid vaccination travel rules – but masks on flights remain
2 years, 6 months ago

Australia drops Covid vaccination travel rules – but masks on flights remain

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government in Canberra said: “People travelling to Australia will no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration to …

Rising Covid infections prompt nursing homes to ask visitors to use face masks
2 years, 6 months ago

Rising Covid infections prompt nursing homes to ask visitors to use face masks

NL Times  

As the number of coronavirus infections rises again, more and more nursing homes are asking their healthcare workers to wear face masks. Staff shortages are already prompting some nursing homes to let employees work with a coronavirus infection if they are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, Actiz said to the Volkskrant. Almost 400 nursing homes across the Netherlands reported coronavirus …

A third of US should be considering masks, officials say
2 years, 7 months ago

A third of US should be considering masks, officials say

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — COVID-19 cases are increasing in the United States — and could get even worse over the coming months, federal health officials warned Wednesday in urging areas hardest hit to consider reissuing calls for indoor masking. “Prior increases of infections, in different waves of infection, have demonstrated that this travels across the country,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC …

Creeping COVID-19 cases result in few schools mask mandates
2 years, 7 months ago

Creeping COVID-19 cases result in few schools mask mandates

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy U.S. COVID-19 cases are up, …

More people in hospital with COVID-19 just days before mask mandates set to go
2 years, 8 months ago

More people in hospital with COVID-19 just days before mask mandates set to go

ABC  

South Australia has recorded the highest number of COVID-related hospitalisations since February 1, just days out from the expected easing of mask rules. Key points: There are 236 people with COVID-19 in hospital in SA - the highest number since February 1 4,281 new infections were reported yesterday The state's mask rules are set to go in coming days There …

Big Cities Lift Covid Curbs, But Doctors Divided Over Mask Mandate, And Can It Prevent Next Wave?
2 years, 9 months ago

Big Cities Lift Covid Curbs, But Doctors Divided Over Mask Mandate, And Can It Prevent Next Wave?

News 18  

Even as Maharashtra and Delhi have made masks optional, the doctor community is divided over the new move, and some believe that masks should still be mandatory despite India seeing a big drop in Covid cases. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of Indian Medical Association ’s national Covid task force, said, “It is dangerous if more states make wearing masks optional. …

COVID-19 infection rates hit new high for England, says new study
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 infection rates hit new high for England, says new study

Firstpost  

According to the surveillance data of the study, the vast majority of the analysed positive samples were the Omicron BA.2 stealth variant, named due to the absence of certain genetic changes that can distinguish this variant easily from others London: Coronavirus infections in England climbed to a new record high with one in 16 or 6.37 per cent testing positive …

All COVID restrictions to end on March 31, wearing of face mask to continue
2 years, 9 months ago

All COVID restrictions to end on March 31, wearing of face mask to continue

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Two years after the Covid pandemic broke out and the country went into a mega-lockdown, the Union home ministry has decided to end all Covid-19 containment measures from March 31, and has said that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for coronavirus containment measures. Union home secretary Ajay …

Government mulls Covid booster shots for all above 18 years
2 years, 9 months ago

Government mulls Covid booster shots for all above 18 years

The Hindu  

The government is considering allowing booster dose of Covid vaccine for all those above 18 years in view of a surge in infections in parts of the world and ease difficulties faced during international travel, sources said on Monday. "The government is considering to allow booster dose of Covid vaccine to all those above 18 years in view of a …

UK Govt to Remove Remaining Covid-19 Restrictions For All International Passengers
2 years, 9 months ago

UK Govt to Remove Remaining Covid-19 Restrictions For All International Passengers

News 18  

The UK government will remove all remaining Covid restrictions on international travel for all passengers from Friday onwards, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced. From 4 a.m. on coming Friday, all Covid-19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the passenger locator form for arrivals into the UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated, reports …

France is the latest in Europe to lift most COVID restrictions, even for the unvaccinated
2 years, 9 months ago

France is the latest in Europe to lift most COVID restrictions, even for the unvaccinated

LA Times  

France lifted most COVID-19 restrictions Monday, abolishing the requirement for face masks in most settings and allowing unvaccinated people back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues. Starting Monday, people aren’t required any longer to show proof of vaccination to enter places such as restaurants and bars, cinemas, theaters and fairs or on interregional transportation systems such as trains. Unvaccinated …

‘Return to normal’: France lifts most COVID-19 restrictions
2 years, 9 months ago

‘Return to normal’: France lifts most COVID-19 restrictions

Al Jazeera  

But in recent days, the number of new COVID-19 infections has started increasing, raising concerns from some that it may be too soon to lift restrictions. France lifted most COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, abolishing the need to wear face masks in most settings and allowing people who aren’t vaccinated back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues. Starting Monday, people …

Requiring masks in K-12 schools cut Covid-19 infections, study shows
2 years, 10 months ago

Requiring masks in K-12 schools cut Covid-19 infections, study shows

CNN  

CNN — As states roll back masking requirements for students, a new study shows that masks helped cut Covid-19 infections in public K-12 schools that required them in the fall. Compared with districts that didn’t require masks, districts that did had 22% fewer Covid-19 cases among students in kindergarten through fifth grade; 31% fewer cases among students in grades six …

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD

Dutch News  

Government health advisors on the Outbreak Management Team will meet at the end of this week to discuss lifting the final coronavirus restrictions in operation in the Netherlands. The number of new coronavirus cases reached a three-week high at the weekend, following the Carnaval celebrations and the February half-term holidays and the number of new infections hit almost 67,000 in …

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD
2 years, 10 months ago

More coronavirus rules may go, despite rise in new infections: AD

Dutch News  

Government health advisors on the Outbreak Management Team will meet at the end of this week to discuss lifting the final coronavirus restrictions in operation in the Netherlands. The number of new coronavirus cases reached a three-week high at the weekend, following the Carnaval celebrations and the February half-term holidays and the number of new infections hit almost 67,000 in …

Washington officials to assess new mask guidance from CDC
2 years, 10 months ago

Washington officials to assess new mask guidance from CDC

Associated Press  

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington’s March 21 date to lift the statewide mask mandate remains in place for now as state officials review new guidance Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says people in most places can safely take a break from wearing facial coverings. Jay Inslee, said in an email Friday that the office has not …

COVID-19 mask rules explained for every state and territory
2 years, 10 months ago

COVID-19 mask rules explained for every state and territory

ABC  

Masks will be coming off indoors today across much of the east coast, while a mask mandate has been extended in Western Australia. Australian Capital Territory From today, masks will no longer be mandatory in most indoor settings in the ACT, but will still be required on public transport, and in hospitals and aged-care facilities. While NSW has scrapped mask …

New US COVID guidelines allow most Americans to go mask-free
2 years, 10 months ago

New US COVID guidelines allow most Americans to go mask-free

Al Jazeera  

New US coronavirus masking policy is broken down into three risk categories based on hospital capacity and cases. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dramatically eased its COVID-19 guidelines for when people should wear masks indoors, a move that means 72 percent of the US population will reside in communities where indoor face coverings are no …

Transport for London drops mandatory face mask rule
2 years, 10 months ago

Transport for London drops mandatory face mask rule

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But having considered the government’s approach towards “living with the virus” and a “variety …

Covid-19 infections above pre-Christmas levels – but falling in England
2 years, 10 months ago

Covid-19 infections above pre-Christmas levels – but falling in England

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It comes as Transport for London dropped a mandatory face mask rule for buses …

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK
2 years, 10 months ago

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK

India Today  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said he would end all coronavirus restrictions in England including mandatory self-isolation for people with Covid-19 and free testing, drawing scepticism from some scientists and political opponents. Johnson said that the legal requirement to self-isolate for people who test positive for Covid would be removed on Feb. 24 while free universal testing would …

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England
2 years, 10 months ago

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England

Associated Press  

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scrapping the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, even as he acknowledged Monday the potential for new and more deadly variants of the virus. “But it is the day when all the efforts of the last two years finally enabled us to protect …

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England
2 years, 10 months ago

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England

LA Times  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on Monday to outline the government’s new long-term COVID-19 plan. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scrapping the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, even as he acknowledged Monday the potential for new and more deadly variants …

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate

India Today  

People with Covid-19 won't be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the UK government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with Covid” that is also likely to see testing for coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, away from banning …

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