WORKING from home and wearing masks could return to help deal with the pandemic through autumn and winter, according to leaked documents.

Ian Gilbert, Labour leader of Southend Council, has backed the plans, which are set to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson today.

Mr Johnson will announce proposals for dealing with the pandemic over the next few months tonight on television.

Initial plans seen via leaked Number 10 papers show lockdowns opposed and the travel traffic light system being scrapped.

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Wearing masks and working from home could return.

Other plans include seeing fully vaccinated holiday makers likely to only need to take lateral flow tests, rather than the more reliable but more expensive PCR tests, when returning from abroad.

The announcement comes as Sajid Javid has said the Covid passport plans for nightclubs are off.

However, No 10 says the plans will be kept “in reserve” should it be needed over autumn or winter.

Mr Gilbert said: “I do not think there’s anything wrong with being cautious about mask wearing and it’s still good to take this precaution.

“I think workers and employers will want to keep the flexibility about home working but it does depend on the job being done. I do not think it’s essential to get everyone back to the office.

“We all want to get back to normal quickly and safely and the key to this is the vaccine programme.”

Echo:

Joan Tiney, 71, owner of The Borough Hotel, hit out at the mask plans.

The chairman of Southend Seafront Traders Association said: “It will impact us and we do not want to see it become mandatory at all.

“There is no logic and it feels like the Government has to do something and hospitality is being targeted.”

Other business owners said wearing masks should be down to the individual.

Jacqui Dallimore, 58, managing director of The Roslin Beach Hotel on Southend’s seafront said lots of her guests still wear masks.

Pat Rackley, 71, from Laindon, fears another lockdown and a “ruined Christmas.”

The grandmother said: “There is confusion and it shouldn’t be option for masks, I think. People should be ordered to wear them so we can protect each other.”

Echo:

It comes as owners of nightclubs speak of their delight about the u-turn over Covid passports.

A Unit 7 Basildon spokesman said:After all this uncertainty, we can now focus on what we do best which is providing fun nights out and creating memories for young people who have already sacrificed so much during the pandemic."