What is Covid Plan B and what are the rules across the UK?
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Image source, Getty ImagesHealth leaders in England are calling for the reintroduction of some Covid restrictions to avoid a winter crisis.
The NHS Confederation says that the government should move to "Plan B" - its back-up strategy to cope if the NHS starts to struggle with rising cases.
What is Plan B?
Plan B was announced by the health secretary last month.
If the NHS came under "unsustainable pressure", Sajid Javid said the government could bring it in - at short notice.
- Communicating clearly and urgently to the public that the level of risk has increased, and that they need to behave more cautiously
- Introducing mandatory Covid passports in certain settings
- Making face coverings compulsory again
- Advising people to work from home
Is there going to be another lockdown?
The government says this is unlikely, and that the changes introduced under Plan B would be relatively small.
It argues that because of the success of the vaccination programme, relatively small changes in policy and behaviour could have a big impact on reducing transmission and relieving pressure on the NHS.
When would the government introduce Plan B?
No single event or set of figures would trigger Plan B, but scientific advisers are monitoring the following:
- the number of hospitalisations
- rapid rates of change in figures
- the overall state of the NHS
However, Covid cases have been above 40,000 for seven days in a row, with 43,738 new infections reported on Tuesday.
This is why the NHS Confederation wants Plan B to be introduced now.
What's Plan A?
Plan A is the winter strategy currently in operation in England.
- Covid booster jabs are being offered to about 30 million people, including the over-50s, younger adults with health conditions and frontline health and social care workers
- Healthy 12 to 15-year-olds are being offered a single dose
- Unvaccinated people are being encouraged to get jabbed
Other Plan A measures include:
- the continuation of NHS Test and Trace and free PCR tests
- encouraging free flu jab take-up
- reminding people to let in fresh air when meeting indoors, and to wear face coverings in crowded places
What restrictions are currently in place in England?
- 1m-plus social distancing guidance remains in places such as hospitals and passport control
- Face coverings no longer required by law, but the government "expects and recommends" them in crowded/enclosed spaces
- Some shops and transport operators still require masks
- People who've been working from home should return to the workplace gradually
Image source, ReutersWhat's in Wales' winter plan?
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford set out two planning scenarios:
- Covid Stable, where Wales remains at alert level zero, with all businesses able to open
- Covid Urgent, where there's a sudden deterioration in cases, which could be caused by a new, fast-spreading variant, or a drop in vaccine immunity levels
Under Covid Urgent, previously drawn up "alert levels" - including lockdown at level four - could be used as an option of last resort.
"While we do not think measures under a Covid Urgent scenario will be necessary this autumn or winter, we cannot completely rule them out," the plan says.
Mr Drakeford also announced care home visiting rules will be relaxed.
Visitors will be able to take lateral flow tests at home, and won't have to socially distance in a resident's room or designated visiting areas. Restrictions around gifts will also be eased.
Beyond that he confirmed all other current restrictions will remain:
- Work from home wherever possible
- Face coverings remain compulsory on public transport, and in shops and hospitals - but not bars/restaurants
- College and secondary school staff and students should keep testing regularly
- Face masks no longer advised in schools, but still recommended in crowded spaces like school buses
- People must use the NHS Covid Pass to show they've been vaccinated or have a negative lateral flow test to go to nightclubs, as well as many indoor and outdoor events
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat are the restrictions in Northern Ireland?
- Up to 30 people from any number of households can mix indoors in domestic settings
- No need for advance tickets or allocated seating at live performances, or for any seating at indoor performances
- Social distancing limits have been lifted in shops, indoor seated venues and indoor visitor attractions, although face coverings remain compulsory
- Shops and indoor attractions asked to continue using hand sanitising, good ventilation, and one way systems
- Indoor seated venues such as theatres, concert halls and cinemas "strongly recommended" (but not legally obliged) to to ask for proof of double vaccination or a negative lateral flow test
- Dancing not permitted at indoor venues where music is played (apart from weddings and civil ceremonies)
- Face coverings mandatory on public transport and some other settings, unless you are exempt
- Work from home where possible
- Social distancing in hospitality settings remain in place until 31 October
- Nightclubs remain closed until 31 October
What is the situation in Scotland?
- Physical distancing rules remain in healthcare settings such as hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists, where the 2m (6ft) rule applies
- Face coverings still compulsory on public transport and inside places like shops
- Indoor hospitality venues must collect customer contact details
- Keep working from home where possible
- Large event organisers (5,000 outdoors, 2,000 indoors) must apply for permission
- Secondary pupils have to wear face coverings indoors until the October holidays
- No large in-person lectures at colleges and universities
- The government reserves the right to re-impose local travel restrictions
- All over-18s required to prove their vaccine status at nightclubs and other venues