"Get back to work" | Will PM's decision to end all COVID rules cause headaches for HR?

The Prime Minister has told the nation to “be confident and get back to work” after confirming that all remaining Covid-19 rules will be scrapped this week.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Boris Johnson is set to reveal the finer details of his 'Living with Covid Plan' today. All restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive Covid-19 test, are set to end in England on Thursday, February 24, with Johnson confident that vaccines and new treatments will help prevent further coronavirus waves.

The changes mean that people who test positive for Covid-19 will be expected to stay at home, as they would with flu, however there is no legal requirement, and no risk of hefty fines for anyone who doesn’t comply. Instead, the law will be replaced with guidance with workers instead being strongly urged not to go to work if they have Covid-19.

The Prime Minister told the BBC: “We've reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, away from banning certain courses of action, compelling certain courses of action, in favour of encouraging personal responsibility.”