Chief among Wednesday’s announcements was an end to the government’s work from guidance, which came despite evidence underlining just how much more infection Omicron is than previous variants of Covid-19.

Also in Westminster, several senior Conservative MPs have called for the government’s testing regime for fully vaccinated travellers to be scrapped.

Elsewhere, flight disruption in the US due to concerns of the roll-out of a new 5G band also receives coverage, and there are hints of more bad news on household finances to come.

Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Thursday 20 January.

Workers facing first commute for months

Staff across the country are travelling in to work for the first time since Plan B measures to curb the spread of Omicron were axed. The Prime Minister said yesterday work-from-home guidance would be dropped immediately and face coverings in classrooms scrapped in England. The requirement to wear face masks on public transport and in shops will end next Thursday. (Evening Standard)

Omicron ‘much more re-infectious’ than Delta

The risk of reinfection from the Omicron variant is 16 times higher than Delta, new figures indicate. Latest Office for National Statistics data shows the rate for all reinfections has increased since early December 2021 - likely driven by the rapid spread of the new strain. (Sky News)

Senior Tories call for end of testing for fully vaccinated arrivals

Former prime minister Theresa May led calls in the Commons on Wednesday for testing to be scrapped for fully vaccinated arrivals into the UK. May said if the country was to learn to live with Covid, the government needed to facilitate travel. May’s plea has been backed by fellow backbencher Sir Graham Brady, chair of the influential 1922 committee. (The Telegraph)

British Airways details US flight cancellations

British Airways has cancelled a string of flights to the US over fears a rollout of new 5G technology near airports could disrupt aircraft navigation systems. The airline has scrapped flights to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. It has acted over concerns the new, faster mobile network could interfere with altimeters. (The Times)

Mortgages bills ‘set to rise’

The Bank of England is facing pressure to put up interest rates faster than previously planned to help puncture soaring inflation. UK inflation leapt to 5.4% in December – its highest in nearly 30 years – as millions of households felt the pinch when it came to covering grocery, fuel and energy bills, official figures show. (The i)