January 20
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to ease restrictions introduced to tackle a surge of coronavirus infections following a decline in the number of new cases.
He also pledged to set out a long-term strategy for living with the coronavirus.
New coronavirus cases at the start of January topped 200,000 as the Omicron variant swept Britain. The figures in the past few days have halved.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Johnson explained that "while there are some place where cases are likely to continue rising ... our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally."
He said starting January 27, face masks will no longer be compulsory in indoor public spaces in England.
Proof of full vaccination will also no longer be mandatory for entry to large venues.
Johnson expressed his intention not to renew the self-isolation regulations that expire in late March. He said this is just as there are no legal obligations on people to isolate when they have the flu.
Some 63 percent of those aged 12 or over have completed their booster shots in Britain.
xinhua
