Masks will no longer be required in churches in England from January 26.

Congregations were forced to return to mask-wearing before Christmas, when the Government amped-up guidelines in the wake of the Omicron variant. 

Now, the rules are being relaxed, with facemasks no longer being mandatory in enclosed spaces.  

Churchgoers will still have to wear masks over the coming weekend but will be allowed to remove them the following week. 

Some churches and places of worship chose to continue mask-wearing after restrictions were eased in the summer, in order to protect vulnerable members of the congregation.

Others asked people to wear masks whilst singing, if not during the other parts of the service. 

People will also be able to return to the office under the new guidance, which was announced by the Prime Minister on January 19. 

The Government had urged people to work from home where possible, but Wednesday, January 26 could see commuters returning to the usual state of play. 

The Prime Minister urged people to exercise caution, especially when meeting strangers, but said that scientists believe the Omicron wave to have peaked. 

Some restrictions remain in place - including mandatory isolation for those that test postive for the coronavirus. Johnson has confirmed that this too could end in the coming months, as the virus becomes "endemic".