People living in Merseyside shared their fears for the clinically vulnerable amid coronavirus restrictions being further relaxed.
The legal requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for covid has been scrapped by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson said it is time for the country to move away from restrictions and towards personal responsibility, with changes to self-isolation laws coming into place from Thursday, February 24.
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In the briefing, Mr Johnson said: "Until April 1 we will still advise people who test positive to stay at home but after that we will encourage people with Covid-19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility, just as we encourage people who may have flu to be considerate to others."
However, some people across Merseyside said they fear for their safety amid the changes.
One young woman, who was encouraged to shield in her Knowsley home in March 2020, said she feels her isolation "all been for nothing".
She told the ECHO: "It's very worrying. Being fully jabbed I did feel better protected knowing that those who tested positive wouldn't be near you, but now they could literally be sat next to you and there's nothing you can do about it.
"The vaccine doesn't stop the virus, it just makes it less severe so those who are vulnerable are bound to still be worried because they can still become really ill if caught.
"It's as though the pandemic is over, but it isn't. Why all of a sudden are we being left to suffer?"
An elderly man who did not wish to be named said he too took the decision to shield due to health worries, but now people will be "playing a gamble on his life".
Under the new rule change, those who receive a positive Covid-19 test will still be advised to stay at home for at least five days, but will not be obliged to under law under the plans subject to parliamentary approval.
Routine contact tracing will also end on Thursday, as will self-isolation payments and the legal obligation for individuals to tell their employers about their requirement to isolate.
Mr Johnson also told MPs that changes to statutory sick pay and employment support allowance designed to help people through the coronavirus pandemic will end on March 24.
But this is likely to "end in disaster" for many struggling families across Merseyside.
One man said: "This is all being lifted too early, they aren't thinking about those most at risk.
"I get we need to learn to live with covid, but this seems like it's heading the wrong way."
Mr Johnson also announced free universal testing will end on April 1, but added the government would provide kits for the oldest and most vulnerable people.
Many people took to social media to share their views as opinions appeared to be divided.
One user said: "Being in the group classed as extremely clinically vulnerable I think they have relaxed restrictions too quickly.
"Think test kits and testing and self isolation should have stayed a bit longer. I know they are saying it’s a personal choice but I don’t think they considered us."
Another wrote: "I do think we should continue testing and isolating when positive, whilst also wanting life to get back to normal we have to remember this virus has killed so many and is causing millions to have long term health issues after having it."
However, one person said we need to get back to normal, adding: "If people want to wear masks, or stay indoors to protect themselves that is their prerogative. We need to get back to normal it is not healthy carrying on with restrictions.."
All areas in the Liverpool City Region recently saw falls in positive Covid tests. The drops were: 15% in Knowsley; 25% in Liverpool; 20% in Halton; 21% in St Helens; 33% in Sefton; and 27% in Wirral.
Families from Merseyside who've lost loved ones during the pandemic have previously called on the government to hold an immediate first phase of a public inquiry.
The campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice now represents thousands of people across the UK.
Taking to social media following the announcement, the group said lives are going to be cost as a result of these relaxations and urged people to "oppose the reckless and dangerous policies".
They said: "For the over 1,000 families that have lost loved ones to Covid-19 in the last week, the pandemic is anything but over.
"People will die directly because of the decision to scrap free testing, and those deaths are avoidable.
"Just as the Government was late starting testing, costing thousands of lives, they are going to be too early finishing it, with the same consequence.
"Testing is the most effective way to avoid restrictions, so there is no way in which this benefits ordinary people. The PM talks of the country ‘needing to get our confidence back’, but this will only further damage the confidence of the millions who are vulnerable.
"He also talked of ‘relying on people to exercise responsibility’, ignoring the financial impact of this decision. For instance, many key workers, who kept this country going through the pandemic, will now be left to choose between food, bills or testing."
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