Practical questions remain as final restrictions are lifted - Chamber

The government must now set out practical steps to help businesses adjust to the lifting of remaining Covid-19 restrictions, business leaders said today.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced the Living With Covid plan which effectively ended all remaining restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test.

Contact tracing will also end on Thursday as well as the need for fully-vaccinated close contacts to test for seven days.

And, from 1 April, the testing programme is being significantly scaled back with the end of free lateral flow tests.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said that while the end of restrictions may provide a boost to consumer confidence, a number of practical questions for businesses remain unanswered.

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Yesterday 's announcement offers a ray of hope that the end of this devastating crisis is now in sight and a return to normalcy is on the cards.

“The PM will be hoping that lifting restrictions will offer a timely shot in the arm to consumer confidence and further revitalise an economy that 's been shaken to the core.

“He was also right to stress the dangers associated with the emergence of new variants and the need for considered pragmatism. However, once again, huge practical questions remain unanswered.

“In the short term, the removal of free mass testing is likely to placate cost cutting officials at the Treasury but does little to build confidence that any future spread of the virus will be contained without the testing infrastructure in place that 's worked so well over the last two years.

“In addition, firms will need clear guidance on employer liabilities and the removal of Covid-19 from risk assessments otherwise they could face long and costly legal battles which could dampen recovery prospects.

“Early analysis from our latest Quarterly Business Report suggests a number of local businesses are still struggling with huge overheads and price pressures - removing national restrictions wont suddenly make these issues disappear.

“Right now, we need the Government to use the upcoming Spring Statement to set out a blueprint on how they will tackle these entrenched problems - financial support for those struggling to pay energy bills, maintain lower levels of VAT and further reform of the business rates system would all be a sensible start.

“In the coming days, we will continue to work with local businesses to help them understand how these changes are likely to impact their output and press Government to provide the level of detail that 's required to give businesses the confidence they need to look ahead with a renewed sense of optimism. ”

Complete the Q1 Quarterly Business Report.