The National Health Service is withdrawing its free vaccine booster programme at the end of this month. PA
The National Health Service is withdrawing its free vaccine booster programme at the end of this month. PA
The National Health Service is withdrawing its free vaccine booster programme at the end of this month. PA
The National Health Service is withdrawing its free vaccine booster programme at the end of this month. PA

What are the UK's Covid rules and what's changing?


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

The NHS is appealing for people who are eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccine to come forward before the deadline of June 30.

After this date, boosters will no longer be free for all.

The NHS says boosters are essential in protecting people from serious illness, hospital admission and death from Covid-19.

It says the protection offered by the initial two doses of the vaccine starts to wane after six months and a booster can help to boost immunity.

The NHS is also appealing to people who have not yet had their first or second dose of the vaccine to come forward.

It says everyone aged 12 and older should be vaccinated.

What are the Covid rules currently in place?

The NHS is continuing to urge those at increased risk from Covid-19 – such as pregnant women, those over 60 and people with weakened immune systems – to take extra precautions.

These include meeting people outside or ensuring there is good ventilation indoors, maintaining a distance of at least two metres from others, especially indoors or in crowded places, and working from home where possible.

Masks remain vital in preventing the spread of Covid-19, the NHS advises. Bloomberg
Masks remain vital in preventing the spread of Covid-19, the NHS advises. Bloomberg

Wearing a face covering and requesting others do the same, or taking a lateral flow test before indoor meetings, are additional safeguards.

While this advice is no longer routinely publicised, the NHS emphasises its continuing relevance.

The government says legacy Covid rules will be reviewed regularly and changed if necessary.

What rules are changing?

If you test positive for Covid-19, you will no longer be contacted automatically by the NHS about potential treatments.

Instead, you will need to contact your GP practice, NHS 111 or your hospital specialist to discuss treatment.

Lateral flow tests are still recommended to help detect Covid-19. PA
Lateral flow tests are still recommended to help detect Covid-19. PA

Previously, the NHS would have initiated contact after a positive test but from June 27 this will no longer be the case.

The NHS recommends keeping lateral flow test kits at home and using them only when symptoms are present. The tests can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets.

A change in the way tests are accessed will come into effect from October 1. More information will be available on the NHS website as the date approaches.

Why have the rules changed?

On May 5, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the virus was no longer a public health emergency of international concern and not a global danger.

The WHO has said countries should continue to monitor the virus and take appropriate steps to protect their populations.

The number of cases and hospital admissions has also declined significantly in the UK.

This is due to factors such as vaccination, natural immunity that has developed among the population and the Omicron variant being less severe than previous Covid strains.

What should people do?

The NHS is advising people to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves before the deadline.

They are also advised to follow the legacy Covid rules – still in place because the virus remains a threat – to help protect others.

The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: 

  • UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
  • Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Updated: June 08, 2023, 11:24 AM