Changes to Covid-19 laws in England have been cautiously welcomed by the Leader of Staffordshire County Council.

In the House of Commons yesterday (Monday 21 February), the Prime Minister unveiled further details of the Government's 'Living with Covid-19' strategy, including the removal of all Covid restrictions, self-isolation laws, and changes to testing and isolation rules.

Key points from the Prime Minister's announcement include:

- Staff and students in school no longer have to carry out weekly Covid testing from 21 February

- All Covid-19 restrictions will be revoked on 24 February

- People who test positive for Covid-19 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate from 24 February, but are encouraged to still do so while positive

- Fully vaccinated close contacts and those under 18 will no longer need to test daily from 24 February

- Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate from 24 February

- Isolation payments for people on low income will end this week

- Free universal rapid testing will end in England on 1 April

Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Alan White, urged everybody to continue to be careful and considerate to others following the lifting of self-isolation laws.

He said: "After an extremely tough two years where Staffordshire people have made enormous sacrifices, I hope today's announcement will provide hope that we are reaching the point of being able to live with coronavirus without the need for restrictions that have put an enormous strain on residents and businesses across the county.

"Although this is positive news, we must remember that the end of Covid regulations does not mean the end of Covid itself, and we all must continue to take sensible precautions to limit the spread of infection and keep others safe, particularly those who are older and those with underlying medical conditions.

"If you have a respiratory illness and especially if you test positive for Covid-19, please do not risk passing it onto others and endangering those more vulnerable. Keep away from others for a few days until you are feeling better and your symptoms have recovered. We must all recognise the greater responsibility we have in protecting our communities."

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