The Prime Minister has today (February 21) announced the Government’s Living with Covid-19 strategy.
The strategy, which applies to England only, confirms that the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive COVID-19 test will be scrapped on Thursday 24th February 2022.
As part of the Living With Covid Strategy, the Prime Minister has also outlined a timetable for the end of free testing. Free COVID-19 tests will no longer be available from 1st April 2022, although older people and the vulnerable will continue to have free access to COVID-19 tests if they are symptomatic.
The Government’s Living with COVID-19 Strategy establishes a timetable for the expiration of all remaining coronavirus restrictions. The timetable, which can be accessed in full here, establishes some additional key points for retailers to note, including:
- From 24th March, COVID-19 provisions in statutory sick pay will end. However, workers who have COVID-19 and are unable to come into work can claim normal sick pay.
- From 1st April, employers will no longer be required to conduct and implement a COVID-19 risk assessment. The Government will be replacing the Working Safely guidance with new public health guidance.
- From 1st April, people who test positive will be asked to exercise their personal responsibility about whether they isolate or not.
ACS advice and resources on Covid-19 are available at https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/covid-19-coronavirus
