From now:
- People who test positive for Covid-19 are advised to stay home and avoid contact with others if they can, but there is no legal requirement to do so.
- Fully vaccinated contacts of positive cases are no longer asked to take daily tests for 7 days.
- The legal requirement for those who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate after being in contact with a positive case is removed.
- Routine contact tracing has also ended.
People should still consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces, especially where they might come into contact with people they do not usually meet, and must get a PCR test if they develop symptoms of Covid-19.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The legal lifting of restrictions today is very welcome news for a nation which has made tremendous sacrifices over the last 2 years.
"However, we must proceed with caution as we enter this new phase of trying to live safely with Covid-19 because, let's be very clear, the virus hasn't gone away – and is likely to be with us for a long time to come.
“Infection rates in Wolverhampton are falling and that's because people are acting responsibly, as they have throughout the pandemic.
“Now we're asking residents to continue to do the right thing, and to look out for each other, particularly those who are more vulnerable for whom today’s changes may seem a step too far.
"Although it is no longer law, the national guidance is still to isolate if you record a positive Covid-19 test result; please make sure you do so as this is a sure fire way of stopping the onward spread of the virus.
“We are asking all council employees to do likewise, which will help protect our most vulnerable in the city and across the council, while keeping our services running.
"We're also encouraging people to consider following safer behaviours such as wearing a face covering in busy and enclosed spaces, and it is reassuring to see that staff, patients and visitors are still required to wear face coverings in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, to protect the vulnerable.
"Testing remains crucial. You must still get a PCR test if you develop symptoms of Covid-19 and, if you don’t have symptoms, we ask that you continue to get a regular rapid test to make sure you do not have the virus.
"And remember, it's never too late to get vaccinated so if you are due your first or second dose, or a booster, please come forward as soon as you can. This will provide you with the best possible protection against Covid-19.
“If we do all this, we will give ourselves a much greater chance of being able to live safely with Covid-19, no matter how long the virus remains with us.”
For details of local walk-in vaccination clinics, offering first, second and booster jabs, please visit Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site. People can also book an appoinment via Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or by calling 119.
