COVID-19: As UK restrictions lift, what challenges do we face before the 'end' of the pandemic - and when could that be?

The World Health Organisation has criticised political leaders for comparing coronavirus to flu again and stressed it is still 'full of very nasty surprises' despite restrictions lifting in the UK. Announcing the scrapping of Plan B measures in England last week, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that with 'Omicron in retreat' we 'must learn to live with COVID' as it could be 'with us forever'. But Dr David Nabarro, WHO special envoy on COVID-19, warned that 'governments everywhere should not suggest the data has suddenly changed, or the virus got incredibly weak'.