The government is planning to scrap isolation requirements for people testing positive with Covid-19, it is being reported.
This would mean that people would no longer need to isolate at home if they tested positive for the virus, in a huge break from rules that have been put in place since the start of the pandemic.
Instead, the virus will be treated the same as other diseases - such as flu - as part of new plans from ministers, which look to scrap the test and trace system, free lateral flow tests, and the law that requires people to isolate inside in a bid to 'get back to normality'.
As reported in the Telegraph, the so-called Operation Rampdown would also see the £500 government support paid to low earners to help them isolate cut.
Government insiders, however, have stressed that nothing will change until next year - with the current focus seeming to be on encouraging people to get their flu and booster shots.
The reports come via leaked official papers seen by the Mail on Sunday, in which 160 pages of papers outline government plans to end self-isolation rules in England by spring.
In the documents, officials from Whitehall claim the virus will become endemic and that the legal requirement for those with a positive Covid test to self isolate for 10 days - which currently expires in March - will not be renewed.
One document said: “We will no longer be prioritising the previous objectives of breaking chains of transmission at all costs.”
It is expected that instead the fight will now be taken to local authorities, as opposed to the national response seen previously.
The strategy, created as part of a six-week review by the UK Health Security Agency to look towards life next spring, makes it clear the government is keen to take itself off a Covid war footing.
Elsewhere, a report in the Sunday TImes says that the government is expected to announce today (Monday 15, November) that booster shots will be extended to the under-50s in a bid to increase the nation's immunity to the virus over the winter months.
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When Yorkshire is due to get hot as a fourth heatwave of the year hits the UK
Yes, ANOTHER heatwave is set to hit the UK - the fourth in 2026 so far - and, understandably, Yorkshire residents are already preparing for the latest blast of hot weather and wondering when it arrives.
Yes, in case you missed the news, more high temperatures are set to spread across the UK and Ireland this month and heading into August.
The increase will gradually build throughout this week, with Wednesday tipped to be the hottest day according to various meteorologists.
While Yorkshire thankfully isn't quite slated to get the sweatiest, parts of the Midlands and the usual suspects down south are set to hit the highest numbers, but the thermometers are still on course to reach around the mid-20s over the coming days.
Estimates of 26°C were predicted for this coming Tuesday, with the levels floating in and around 24/25 on the following Wednesday.
The heat is then due to drop off slowly, with top scores of no higher than 21°C on the cards for Thursday and Friday. Although the weekend forecast is less certain at present, one thing that has been announced is reduced rainfall.
Aside from a few more trickles today (Mon, 27 July), the showers or lack thereof cease rather soon, with some of the driest parts of the country already having various effects; for instance, parched parts of Wales have even revealed lost archaeological sites last Friday (24/7/2026).
It would be remiss if we didn't mention the obvious moorland fires across our region, which were sadly exacerbated by hot weather earlier this month.
At least it'll be a bit cooler here than in other parts of the country. ☀️
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Georgina Pellant -
15th November 2021 
