Updated UK’s remaining Covid restrictions
Most of the remaining Covid restrictions in the UK come to an end on Monday.
However, a few rules will remain in place for now in Wales and Scotland.
How are the rules changing in Wales?
Masks are no longer required in shops or on public transport – although they are recommended, but they are compulsory in health and social care settings.
The legal requirement for people to self-isolate if they have Covid has also ended – although doing so is strongly advised.
Wales will maintain some testing measures until the end of June:
- free lateral flow tests (LFTs) for people with symptoms
- contact tracing will continue
After the end of June, free LFTs won’t be available and contact tracing and self-isolation support payments will end.
What are the rules in Scotland?
Scotland has lifted most legal restrictions, but face coverings are still required on public transport and in some indoor settings.
This will be reviewed before 2 April, and is expected to become guidance shortly afterwards.
Free Covid tests will remain available in Scotland until the end of April, although the rules around who should test, and when, will change.
From 1 May:
- people with symptoms will no longer need to test
- instead they will be advised to stay at home until they feel better
- physical test sites will close and contact tracing will end
What is the situation in England?
The government set out its “Living with Covid” plan earlier this year.
- if you test positive for Covid you are no longer legally required to self-isolate, but you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days
- masks are no longer legally required in most public spaces – although they are still required in healthcare settings, such as GP surgeries, hospitals and care homes
From 1 April:
- lateral flow tests (LFTs) will no longer be free, except for the over-75s and over-12s with weakened immune systems
- the NHS Covid pass will no longer be recognised as a “vaccine passport” within the UK
What are the rules in Northern Ireland?
The government recommends that face masks are still worn in certain places, such as enclosed public spaces and health and social care settings.
