As Covid rules come to an end this is how to protect yourself and the people around you
This article relates to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland only
‘I don’t want to be a superspreader!’
Science teacher Sophia Mitchell, 40, from Buntingford, Hertforshire.
“There comes a point where we have to live with Covid, but the virus hasn’t gone away. So it’s responsible to stay vigilant. I run Lab Tots, teaching kids about science in a fun, interactive way, so they know all about hand sanitising. Opening windows is the norm and I separate the year groups.
"Mask wearing is still a must for me in class and around the schools I visit. I’ll continue wearing my mask to the shops too and will absolutely isolate if I catch the virus again.
"I’m vulnerable, with type 1 diabetes, and I’m self-employed too. I have to be careful. Isolation means I don’t get paid so it’s vital I keep myself – and others – safe.”
‘It’s about using common sense’
Hair salon owner Michelle Drury-Lopez, 46, lives in Oxshott, Surrey.
“I have a responsibility to my clients in the Mint Salon. We’re still using hand sanitiser, cleaning chairs in between cuts and happy to wear masks for vulnerable or concerned clients.
"We have to return to normality at some point and the people I know who’ve had Covid recently have had mild symptoms.
"It’s about using common sense. I’ll wear a mask on public transport, as it’s a small space with lots of people.”
‘I’ll raise a pint to more business’
Landlady Lucy Do, 40, is owner of the Dodo Micropub in Hanwell, West London.
“If the easing of Covid rules means we pull the punters back in to pre-pandemic levels, I’ll raise a pale ale to that! It’s certainly been a brutal couple of years, with business down 18 per cent in 2021.
"But I’ll keep doing what I can to stop the spread of Covid. We have hand sanitisers at each table, encourage people to test before they come in, and request they sit whenever possible.”
‘We’ll mask up for deliveries’
Alyssa Garnham, 34, runs a party store and balloon delivery service based in Brighton.
“The Covid laws have gone, which will give my balloon business a lift. But my team at Peach Blossom would be rightly nervous if all of a sudden we stopped following safety measures overnight.
"We are a small business, and that means if one of us needs to isolate, it causes a strain. And as I’m self-employed, not being able to work also affects my income.
"So we will keep the screen around the till in store for now, and we’ll continue to mask up when making deliveries.”
How to live with Covid-19
Get your jabs
Vaccines are our best defence against serious illness from Covid. People who aren’t jabbed are more likely to end up in hospital – so roll your sleeves up!
Open windows
Stop Covid virus particles hanging around by opening the windows. Give a blast of fresh air for ten minutes every hour. Wind your windows down in the car too if you’re sharing with someone outside your household.
Mask up
Don’t breathe the virus on to others. If you’ve got Covid you may not even know it – a third of us have no symptoms. But contagious droplets are released when you exhale. Wear a mask over your mouth and nose in enclosed public spaces.
Self-isolate
If you’re unwell, stay at home, take a test and avoid contact with others.
The main Covid symptoms are:
•A high temperature – you’ll be hot to the touch on your chest or back
•A new, continuous cough – coughing for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you have a cough already, it maybe worse than normal)
•A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
•In Scotland, continue to follow the self-isolation rules if you have symptoms
For more information visit .
For more information about the guidance in Northern Ireland visit
For more information about the guidance in Scotland visit