As England returns to COVID Plan A, Sandwell Council encourages residents, visitors and students to continue to wear face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces.

 The government has announced Plan B restrictions will be lifted, effective Thursday, 27 January 2022. This includes the legal requirement for compulsory face coverings on public transport and in shops, guidance to work from home and vaccine certificates.
 
In Sandwell, although we have seen a reduction in COVID-19 infection rates over the last week, these rates still remain extremely high. Our hospitals continue to see people with COVID-19 admitted daily.
 
Although legal requirements are set to go, we can still reduce the risk of COVID-19 to ourselves and those around us. While face coverings will no longer be mandated, we would encourage people to continue to wear them in enclosed or crowded spaces. Testing regularly is also still important and if you feel unwell, please stay at home and book a PCR test as soon as you can. Dr Lisa McNally, Sandwell Council’s director of public health, said:

“The virus doesn’t care about Plan B. With the latest data suggesting that 1 in 15 people have COVID-19 in our region, protecting ourselves and those we love is still crucial.

"We can all reduce our risk by continuing to wear face coverings in busy indoor areas and, of course, making sure we’re fully vaccinated”
 
For more information on COVID Plan A health measures, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.