Although the countries of origin have lifted the measures at different rates, the rules on self-isolation and face masks have been phased out. Access to free-flow assays and PCR is now being drastically reduced, marking a significant milestone in the way out of the pandemic. However, experts were quick to warn that Covid is not over – here’s what we know about the future of the pandemic.
When will the Covid pandemic end?
A report by the World Health Organization released in late March showed that the pandemic could end this year. He said a global effort would be needed with countries working together to reduce transmission and intensify vaccination efforts in unvaccinated populations. However, the report warned that there was also a scenario in which the pandemic could be “brought back”. This could be caused either by the virus emerging as a new strain from an SARS-CoV-2 animal pool, or by one of the so-called “recombinant” or hybrid variants taking off. One of them could lead to “a substantially new SARS-CoV-2 virus,” the research advises. Covid restrictions have eased across the UK in recent weeks (Photo: PA) It sets out three scenarios – the best, the basic and the worst – of how the Covid-19 pandemic could take place in 2022. At best, future variants would be significantly less severe than previous ones and immunity from previous infection and vaccination remains high. The base or central case predicts that the new variants are less serious, but there will be periodic peaks, with boost shots needed for vulnerable populations. The worst case scenario suggests that “a more infectious and highly contagious variant occurs in which vaccines are less effective and / or immunity to serious disease and death is rapidly weakening, especially in the most vulnerable groups.” This prediction came after Professor Sir Chris Whitty warned that the new variant of the coronavirus that causes more damage than Omicron is likely to hit the United Kingdom. Speaking on the second anniversary of the first national lockdown, the UK’s chief medical adviser said the public should “step in with him” and accept more surprises instead of hoping for an “end point”. Asked how quickly the pandemic would end and become endemic, Sir Chris said: “The term ‘endemic’ is widely used, including by people with medical qualifications. “The pandemic will become less prevalent over time, but we will have a major problem with it in many parts of the world for the rest of our lives. Let us not have illusions about this. “I expect it to be probably seasonal in the UK, but it will break down, at least for the next 2-3 years, into new variants, while still evolving substantially to adapt to humans, something that can happen between seasonal peaks. “So I think we should just accept that this is what we are going to deal with and move on with that, instead of waiting for an end point.”
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Will there be another lockdown?
There was a significant increase in Covid cases across the UK in March, after most of the other restrictions were eased. However, the government was very clear about the transition from a system of restrictions to a system that places an increased burden on personal responsibility, so a return to strict measures is extremely unlikely. England is now operating under the Living with Covid plan, which says nothing about another lockdown. The return of restrictions has not been completely ruled out, but the plan states that testing and vaccinations are considered the first line of defense. “The government remains prepared to respond if a new variant emerges and puts unsustainable pressure on the NHS through surveillance systems and emergency measures, such as increased testing capacity or vaccine programs,” he said. A woman wears a face mask in Cardiff, in view of the relaxation of restrictions in Wales (Photo: Getty Images) Boris Johnson said when he confirmed the end of all restrictions in England in February: “We have a very clear view that this has not disappeared. We can make these changes now because of the vaccines and the high level of immunity. “We have to face the fact that it is possible that there will be another variant that will cause us problems. “But I believe that thanks to the many things we have done, especially the investment in vaccines and vaccine technology and therapies, we will be in a much better position to deal with this new variant when it comes.” Wales continued its plan to relax the rest of its measures on Monday, March 28, with in-store face masks and self-isolation requirements lifted. Scotland, however, has postponed the final stages of its roadmap for exiting Covid restrictions due to rising pollution, with face mask rules remaining in place until April.
