London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026

What are the UK's 'Living with Covid' plans?

What are the UK's 'Living with Covid' plans?

Almost exactly two years after they were first introduced, the last remaining Covid restrictions are coming to an end across the UK.

England and Northern Ireland have already removed all remaining laws, and Scotland and Wales will follow suit by the end of March.

However, a few guidelines remain in place.

What is the situation in England now?


The government set out its "Living with Covid" plan earlier this year.

*  if you test positively 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 - everyone else will have to buy them from pharmacist or other retailers

*  the NHS Covid pass will no longer be recognised as a "vaccine passport" within the UK

All of England's remaining international travel restrictions - including the requirement to complete passenger locator forms - are also expected to be scrapped.

Over-75s and people with a weakened immune system are also being offered an extra Covid booster jab this spring, six months after their previous dose.

How are the rules changing in Wales?


Wales expects to scrap all remaining Covid restrictions from 28 March, but will maintain some testing measures until July.

*  PCR tests will no longer be freely available for the general public

*  LFTs will be available online for free - but only for testing people who have symptoms

*  people will be advised to get an LFT if they have symptoms and isolate if positive

*  contact tracing will continue

From the end of June:

*  LFTs will cease to be available for testing people with symptoms

*  contact tracing and self-isolation support payments will end

*  self-isolation guidance will be changed to advise take additional precautions when ill, such as staying at home if possible

How are the rules changing in Scotland?


Scotland's Covid certification scheme ended on Monday, 28 February, although businesses and venues can still keep using it if they want.

Secondary school pupils are still required to wear face masks in corridors.

From 21 March:

*  masks will no longer be legally required on public transport and indoor venues (although their use will still be "strongly recommended")

*  businesses, places of worship and service providers will no longer have to follow government guidance on measures to avoid Covid

*  there will be no requirement for businesses and service providers to keep customer contact details

*  people who test positive will still be required to self-isolate, although the length of quarantine is being kept under review

*  The Scottish government says that free Covid testing will continue in some form beyond April

The current restrictions include:

* shops and businesses need to take measures to limit the spread of Covid

*  face coverings are compulsory on public transport and most indoor spaces, including shops and secondary schools

*  a 2m (6ft) distancing rule remains in place in healthcare settings such as hospitals, doctors' surgeries and dentists


How are the rules changing in Northern Ireland?

Covid certificates for nightclubs, mandatory face coverings, track and trace requirements and the cap on 30 people in private homes are no longer legal requirements.

Legal measures have been replaced by guidance, which recommends that face masks are still worn in certain places, such as enclosed public spaces and health and social care settings.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Health Authorities Warn of Rising Cases of Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses
BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Advance Multi-Nation Fighter Aircraft Programme
National Archives Publish Declassified Documents on Cold War Energy Security Planning
British Retail Spending Rises Despite Continuing Cost-of-Living Pressures
Wales Launches Social Housing Pilot to Address Affordability Pressures
British Energy Companies Commit £5 Billion to Geothermal and Hydrogen Projects
Northern Ireland Debates Cross-Border Healthcare Partnership With the Republic of Ireland
UK Establishes National Artificial Intelligence Safety Centre With Leading Universities
UK Reports Decline in Small Boat Crossings After Expanding Intelligence Cooperation With France
Scottish Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Delays to Renewable Energy Projects
National Crime Agency Dismantles Alleged Multi-Million-Pound Money Laundering Network in London
Transport Strikes Disrupt Rail and Bus Services Across Northern England
United Kingdom and European Union Open New Security Dialogue on Defense and Border Cooperation
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 5% as Services Inflation Remains Elevated
UK Government Unveils Major National Health Service Reform Focused on Decentralization and Performance Funding
Government Advances New Airport Slot Rules to Ease Airline Operating Constraints
BBC Opens Flagship Science-Fiction Franchise to Competitive Production Bids
Chancellor Meets City Leaders Amid Concerns Over Gilt Market Liquidity
Rathbones Shares Fall Seventeen Percent After Regulatory Review Reveals Compliance Failings
United Kingdom Joins Group of Seven Initiative Using Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing for Cancer Research
Parliament Debates Doubling Tax Allowance for Pensioners After Major Public Petition
Measles Cases Exceed Seven Hundred in London and the West Midlands
British Military Leadership Faces Parliamentary Scrutiny After Defence Secretary's Sudden Resignation
House of Lords Begins Debate on Steel Industry Nationalisation Legislation
Parliament Advances Bill to Abolish NHS England and Create Single Patient Records
Parliament Fast-Tracks National Security Bill to Expand Powers Against Foreign Threats
United Kingdom and European Union Set July Summit to Deepen Post-Brexit Cooperation
United Kingdom Imposes Seventy New Sanctions on Russia and Expands Support for Ukraine's Nuclear Sector
United Kingdom Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under Sixteen
0British Government Investigates Reports of Russian Warship Firing Warning Shots Near Isle of Wight
UK Supreme Court Revises Legal Definition of Deprivation of Liberty
King’s Birthday Honours Recognise Contributions Across Science, Culture and Public Service
UK Ministry of Defence Reports Interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel
UK and US Launch Joint Regulatory Programme for Medicines and Healthcare Products
Solicitor General Refers Murder Sentence to Court of Appeal Under Unduly Lenient Scheme
UK Launches £1.6 Million Mobile Museum Initiative to Expand Cultural Access
Judicial Pay Structure Undergoes Government Review Following Senior Recommendations
Government Confirms Nearly 180 New Youth Hubs Across the United Kingdom
UK Government Expands Careers Support Through Partnership with LinkedIn
Digital News Report Highlights Growing Global Concern Over AI and Information Overload
UK Chancellor Reaffirms Fiscal Discipline and Borrowing Reduction Strategy
UK Government Invests £219 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors Secures Major Swedish Export Contract
Government Confirms Locations for Nearly 180 Youth Hubs Across Great Britain
UK Government Partners with LinkedIn to Expand Employment Support Services
Reuters Institute Report Flags Rising Public Anxiety Over News and Information Overload
UK Government Commits £219 Million to Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Chancellor Convenes Market Engagement Group to Assess UK Economic Outlook and Productivity Risks
Rolls-Royce Wins Multibillion-Pound Swedish Contract for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Government to Ban Social Media Access for Under-Sixteens Across the United Kingdom
×