UK Edition
Boris Johnson set to repeal draconian Covid-19 powers that shut schools and pubs
Infectious people will no longer be legally detained, and restrictions on events and gatherings cannot be imposed
Draconian Covid-19 powers, such as the ability to shut down schools and pubs, are no longer needed, Boris Johnson will announce this week.
The Prime Minister is set to repeal powers from the Coronavirus Act which are no longer deemed necessary in England as part of the Government's plan for managing the virus during the autumn and winter.
These include the ability to close down sectors of the economy, such as pubs and restaurants, and to restrict access to education by closing down schools, colleges and childcare.
Infectious people can also no longer be legally detained, and restrictions on events and gatherings cannot be imposed.
However, legal requirements will remain for someone to isolate if they test positive for the virus in order to reduce the likelihood of vulnerable people getting infected and to control the spread of variants.
Mr Johnson will emphasise that vaccines continue to be the "first line of defence" when he sets out his strategy for tackling Covid-19 during the colder months.
Ahead of the announcement, he said: “Thanks to the efforts of the public, the NHS and our phenomenal vaccination programme, we reached Step 4 in our Roadmap and life has returned to a sense of normality.
“These extraordinary times required necessary but intrusive measures. But I’m determined to get of rid of any powers we no longer need because of our vaccine defences.
“I will set out the next phase in our Covid response shortly.”
The Government said it is difficult to predict how Covid-19 will interact with flu and other respiratory viruses during the winter, and that the threat of a new variant remains.
The vast majority of restrictions were lifted in England on July 19.
As of 9 September, nearly 90 per cent of the UK population aged over 16 have received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and more than 80 per cent have received both doses.
People who have a weakened immune system and are insufficiently protected from the first two vaccine doses will be offered a third dose.
Separately, a vaccination booster programme is set to begin this month. It will be offered to people considered more vulnerable to serious illness from the virus. The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation is expected to brief the Government on details this week.