Director of Public Health Devon advises caution in response to PM’s statement

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has outlined his intention for the country to return to ‘Plan A’, in moves to keep coronavirus rates as low as possible.

In a statement to the House of Commons, he said:

“Today’s latest ONS data shows clearly that infection levels are falling in England. And while there are some places where cases are likely to continue rising, including in primary schools, our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally.”

Hospital admissions nationally, he said, have now stabilised and the numbers in intensive care are falling. Mr Johnson said that:

• From the next Thursday (27 January) mandatory certification will end, meaning people will no longer have to prove their Coronavirus status to gain entry to some venues

• The government will no longer ask people to work from home, but that people should talk to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office

• That it will no longer be compulsory to wear face coverings, starting this week in classrooms

• There will be easing of restrictions governing visits to care homes

But while the current rules around self-isolation remain in place, Mr Johnson said:

“There will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether – just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu.”

He added that he does not expect to renew the current self-isolation regulations, when they expire on Thursday 24 March.

Slapton All-Stars invite you to join a beach cleaning event at Slapton Sands on Sunday 13th February 2020. 

Press release from Police Commissioner Alison Hernandez re roads policing and safety.

SHDC - Hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses can now apply for a grant.