England to return to Plan A

The government has announced that England's COVID-19 measures will revert from Plan B to Plan A.

This means:

• the government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can. People should now talk to their employers to agree arrangements to return to the office

• face coverings are no longer required for staff and pupils in secondary schools and college classrooms

• from 27 January, face coverings will no longer be required for staff and pupils in communal areas of secondary schools, nor for staff in communal areas of primary schools

• from 27 January, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering in public indoor places. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet

• from 27 January, venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis