Prime Minister Boris Johnson seems set to lift Covid restrictions in England next week as Covid case rates decline. 

This is part of a flurry of new policies under “Operation Red Meat”, apparently designed to deflect criticism as the Prime Minister continues to face anger over “partygate” allegations. 

Covid case rates have dropped on average in the UK and in Wiltshire in the latest data published on the UK Coronavirus Dashboard.

This is good news, although it is worth noting the case rate is still higher than the period before Christmas. 

Here are the most up-to-date Covid figures in Wiltshire as well as the restrictions that could be dropped from January 26.

What is the Coronavirus picture in Wiltshire? 

In Wiltshire the latest seven-day case rate was at 828.9 per 100,000 people which is down 38.6% from the previous period.

This is the lowest seven day Covid rate in Wiltshire since before Christmas, and accounts for the seven days up to January 12. 

It is still higher than Wiltshire Covid rates between October 24 and December 22, 2021. 

The number of coronavirus cases in Wiltshire increased by 1,579 over the weekend, government figures show, and two more deaths were recorded.

The latest figures show 392,202 people had received both jabs by January 16 (Sunday), which is 84% of those aged 12 and over, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service database.

Across England, 83% of people aged 12 and above had received a second dose of the jab.

Unlike at local level, the national rate was calculated using mid-2020 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Which Covid rules are to be scrapped from January 26?

Mr Johnson seems set to end England’s Plan B measures on January 26, rather than renewing them.

This would mean:

  1. Face masks may no longer be compulsory in public indoor venue
  2. NHS Covid Pass or proof of negative lateral flow test may no longer be mandatory for some settings 
  3. People may no longer be asked to work from home if they can

 

READ MORE: Here's when 16 to 17 year olds can get a walk-in booster at City Hall

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