Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Britain, has announced an end to all COVID-19 protocols in the nation.

The decision, which would see an end to the mandatory use of face masks in Britain, was inspired by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, Reuters reports.

Although Britain suffers a high number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalization and deaths have not risen in recent weeks due to the booster rollout and the virus’ lesser severity.

“Many nations across Europe have endured further winter lockdowns… but this government took a different path,” Johnson told lawmakers, saying the government had got the toughest decisions right and that numbers going into intensive care were falling.

“Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally… because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A.”

The decision contrasts China and Hong Kong’s zero-tolerance for the violations of protocols.