Boris Johnson has said he plans to remove all remaining coronavirus restrictions a month early.
“Providing the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive, a full month early,” the prime minister told MPs.
The current regulations were due to expire on 24 March.
Under Mr Johnson’s new aim, the rules will expire shortly after MPs return from February recess on 21 February.
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions with the unexpected announcement, the prime minister said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with COVID.
“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”
Former Brexit minister Lord Frost, who said he left Mr Johnson’s government at the end of last year due to the PM’s “coercive policies on COVID”, welcomed the announcement.
“The PM’s plan to end all COVID restrictions a month early is the right thing to do and is extremely welcome.
“I hope the government will also make clear we will not go down the road of coercive lockdowns ever again.”
As of the end of last month, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day five and day six.
The shock announcement to end all domestic coronavirus restrictions in just two weeks’ time comes as the the PM faces questions over his future in the job.