All remaining Covid restrictions in England – including the legal rule to self-isolate – could end later this month, Boris Johnson has said.
Under the current rules, anyone who tests positive must self-isolate for at least five full days.
The current restrictions are due to expire on 24 March.
But Mr Johnson told MPs he expected the last domestic rules would end early as long as the positive trends in the data continued.
He said he intended to return after parliamentary recess – which runs from Thursday to 21 February – to outline the government’s strategy for living with Covid.
“It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid,” Mr Johnson said at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions.
“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.”
The law will be replaced with guidance, Downing Street said – and for example people will be urged not to go to work if they have Covid.
