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Sunday, October 18, 2026

What will 'living with COVID' mean when coronavirus restrictions end in England? - Sky News

Since the first lockdown almost two years ago, the lives of people in the UK have been dictated by the laws on coronavirus.

But this week the government is expected to scrap the last remaining COVID restrictions in England and replace them with its "living with COVID plan".

It will mean that people will no longer be breaking the law if they don't self-isolate when they have the virus and access to free tests will be considerably reduced.

PM news conference confirmed; follow live coronavirus updates

While Downing Street officials say the vaccine rollout means "government intervention in people's lives can now finally end", scientists and NHS leaders say the decision is far too "premature" and will put people at unnecessary risk.

Here, Sky News speaks to experts about what "living with COVID" will mean for people's day-to-day lives.

What should I do about self-isolation?

More on Covid

Since March 2020, the self-isolation period for people with coronavirus in the UK has decreased from 14 days to five.

The current set of rules allow people to come out of isolation after five days if they test negative on days five and six.

When Boris Johnson announced his plan would mean there would be no legal isolation period beyond the end of February, scientists described the decision as "crazy", saying it would force the elderly and clinically vulnerable back into their homes and result in huge new waves of cases.

Number 10 said it would "never recommend anyone goes to work when they...



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