Covid: Living with Covid as restriction scrapped

The Government set out its Living with Covid plan last month.

In a matter of days universal testing will end and Covid measures around travel.

Bolton Council's Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Sue Baines, has said that while this is 'what the Government have now decided', people should still remain on the side of caution.

She said: “This is where we are at, at the moment.

“And until the Government decides on further restrictions, people should take responsibility for what they feel is right for them.

“For some people, now that travel restrictions will be lifted, they can go on holiday and get on with their lives.

“But there are some still afraid, who have health issues, and are still fearful of coming out and mixing in society.”        

Travel restrictions to come to an end. Credit: PA Wire

 Cllr Baines also explained how 'Covid has not gone away' and that we are still not at the endemic stage.

She added: “Covid has not gone away, and it is still not endemic in society.

“This is the stage of a disease or condition that we have to live with.

“An example of this would be the flu or malaria in Africa.”

Cllr Sue Haworth, Labour Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “Decisions made in Westminster on Covid 19 are not orientated enough to Greater Manchester and Bolton.

“Covid rates remain a concern and health chiefs in Greater Manchester want to be able to continue testing and to implement public health actions to keep the public safe.

“The Covid death rate has plummeted yet it is clear that keeping Covid infection rates down in Bolton will prevent more people getting long Covid illness.

“There are already clinics to help people with this illness in the borough. ‘Hands, face, space, ventilation’ seems agreeable to continue with.

“The governments Living with Covid Plan says ministers will take swift action if the virus becomes seriously harmful again but with the number of mistakes they have made on Covid since February 2020 I lack confidence in the government of the day.”  

The Living with Covid plan means that people are no longer legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid-19, though they are still advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days.

Lateral flow test. Credit: PA Wire

Face coverings are no longer legally required in most public spaces, though they must still be worn in healthcare settings such as GP practices and hospitals.

From 4am on Friday, all remaining coronavirus travel measures including passenger locator forms and pre-travel tests for unvaccinated people entering the UK will be axed.

From April 1, free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end for the general public in England, except for a small number of at-risk groups.

On Tuesday, a total of 88,709 cases had been confirmed in Bolton, up from 88,544 on Monday. 

The cumulative rate of infection in Bolton, which covers the whole pandemic, stands at 30,775 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 29,547.

The figures also show that more than half of people in Bolton have received a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.