One of the last remaining Covid restrictions in England – the legal requirement to isolate anyone who has tested positive for Covid – is being lifted.
Boris Johnson has outlined the strategy for ‘living with Covid’.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will soon unveil their next steps.
Much has changed since coronavirus first hit Britain, with new vaccines, new treatments and a better understanding of how the virus spreads, all helping to reduce risks.
But that doesn’t mean the coronavirus is gone.
What can you do if you are worried?
Lorna Fillingham and 11-year-old Emily-May, from Scunthorpe, have been protecting themselves since the pandemic began.
Emily-May has a rare genetic condition that makes her clinically vulnerable.
She has just been offered her first vaccine and needs an eight week break before her second vaccine.
Lorna says the family, who have been homeschooling for more than 650 days, need to plan trips in advance and assess Emily-May’s risk before leaving home: “Our world just got a little smaller again.”
It’s a sentiment shared by some charities that represent people at higher risk.
Philip Anderson of the MS Society says the change will bring “more worry and confusion” to thousands of people with compromised immune systems.
While the rules are subject to change, it doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone’s behavior will change immediately.
Some people have already ditched face coverings entirely in England, but many have not despite the relaxation of rules around them.
And while legally enforceable isolation rules may no longer exist, it is likely that guidance will replace them and help people manage the risks of living with the virus.
There are still many viruses in circulation and there is uncertainty as to how the case numbers will develop next as we enter spring.
- When will the self-isolation rules be scrapped?
- What are the new rules for working from home?
Some people who have previously been shielded or mostly stayed at home may feel pressure to return to work and re-navigate public, crowded places.
And with self-isolation rules lifted and mass testing halted, assessing who might be carrying the virus will become more difficult.
People are still expected to stay home and avoid contact with others if they have Covid, although this is no longer required by law.
Doctors’ union, the British Medical Association, is calling for clear public health guidance that people should not go to work, attend education or socialize when they are ill. This is not only for the recovery of sick people, but also reduces the likelihood that they will transmit the virus to others.
It states that adequate sick pay must be guaranteed for everyone, including casual workers.
Vaccines remain the key to protection.
Those at highest risk — those who are clinically extremely vulnerable — are offered extra doses to boost their defenses against serious illness.
For example, although vaccines are not 100% effective, data suggests that these doses contribute to a good level of protection for many people with cancer.
The Department for Health and Social Care says those most at risk should follow the same guidelines as the general public – but consider extra precautions to reduce their risks.
Consult your doctor to determine whether additional precautions are appropriate for you.
Guidance for those most at risk in England, updated on December 24, suggest:
- Consider whether people are vaccinated at meetings
- Continue to remain socially distant if that feels right
- Ask friends and family to do lateral flow tests before visiting
- Ask visitors to wear face coverings
- Avoid closed, crowded spaces.
Experts say the mental health implications of staying away from others can’t be overstated and everyone has to make their own judgements.
Distance-conscious badges — which signal someone wants extra space — could be an option for people worried about blending in with others.
Others have suggested households could be supplied with high-quality masks, like those worn by some healthcare workers for protection.
Another useful device is a pulse oximeter – a small device that slips on a finger and gives an indication of the level of oxygen in the blood. GPs may advise people to check their levels when they are sick and to go to the hospital if they are low.
And for those most at risk, a range of medicines are now available.
These include antivirals such as ritonavir and molnupiravir.
Which treatments work best against Covid?
They need to be started as soon as possible after contracting the virus, so it’s best to keep a spare Covid test at home to use as soon as symptoms start.
People can also get antivirals through a University of Oxford study, which is open to people with Covid disease over the age of 50 or 18 and older with a health condition that puts them at additional risk.
Another study will look at whether people at high risk could benefit from prophylactic medication before being exposed to Covid.
It’s likely that more treatments and technology will come on board to help people protect themselves from this virus. But for some people, the next few months will bring big changes.
If you’re concerned or struggling with the lifting of restrictions, the NHS and charities have further advice.
Gemma Peters, CEO of charity Blood Cancer UK, says the Government needs to give extra support to vulnerable people – including ensuring Covid treatments are easily accessible.
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