In his latest Reporter column, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds discusses the lifting of Covid-19 measures and his own experience with the virus after testing positive this week.

On Monday, I listened to the Prime Minister announce the ending of all Covid-19 related restrictions, which came into effect on Thursday. The end of legal restrictions brings relief to many and anxiety for some.

We are all keen to move on from the grim weight of the pandemic, all keen to get life back to normal, and all keen to see the economy bounce back.

Some parts of the announcement seem foolishly short-sighted however, especially ending access to free testing. As one of my colleagues said, this is like being 2-1 up with 10 minutes left of play and taking your best defender off the pitch. Free lateral flow tests are not a barrier to living with Covid, they are still a key tool for allowing us to get on and do so.

We should never forget that, even though adherence to the rules in 10 Downing Street may have been lax, a lot of people have accepted incredible disruption, and often hardship, to get the country through this pandemic. It would be a huge mistake to risk losing all that hard work now. 

Free tests will not be required forever, but currently they give the public the ability to monitor and respond to infections in their family when they occur. 

This is something of a live situation for me personally right now. After voting on Monday evening, I began to feel unwell, and immediately came home and took a lateral flow test. It was positive. I’ll be isolating for five days to protect anyone vulnerable I might come into contact with. I’m grateful to colleagues who have covered for me in Parliament and friends who have checked I have milk etc. And I am in good company, with several relatives and Her Majesty the Queen also going down with Covid this week.

Like Her Royal Highness, I’ve been able to carry on with what work I can from isolation, but frankly I’ve also been feeling rough and grateful to not be physically at work. Without easy access to a test I almost certainly would have ploughed on through, unwittingly putting others at risk. I’m also very aware I’m in a job where I can do that. Because the Government have also not kept the changes to sick pay brought in during the pandemic, this will be a harder choice for a lot of people.

Yes, the Omicron variant is milder, especially in people like me who are up to date with vaccinations, but it’s still not something I’d wish upon anyone. Being able to have free tests sent to your door and to isolate if required simply means you can exercise appropriate choices accordingly.

So yes, let’s live with Covid, but let’s keep our best defender on the pitch, our goalie in place, and make sure we see off Covid for good.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper