This independence is coming at a good time for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose government has been weakened by the corruption of Downing Street parties that violate anti-Govt rules.
He celebrated the new phase on Twitter, however, warning that “the epidemic is not over yet”: “Everyone should be careful and I urge all those who have not been vaccinated to speak out”.
Following the withdrawal of the recommendation to work from home a week ago, the UK is now freeing itself from other restrictions – much lighter in Europe – in the face of a wave of Omigron cases introduced in December: the obligatory wearing of a mask at home or in public and the vaccination passport for events with high attendance.
The government also announced that nursing home residents – 86.5% of whom received a booster shot of the vaccine – will be able to receive unlimited visitors from Monday. If they are confirmed to have a corona infection, they will be isolated for a short time.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that wearing a mask will continue to be mandatory on public transport in the capital. Some supermarket chains, such as Sainsbury’s, Waitros or Morrisons, also ask their customers to follow suit.
“We feel like we’re returning to London as before,” Elizabeth Hines, 71, told AFP in the center of the British capital. “It’s only now that we realize how much we missed theaters and shows.” “Things need to get back to normal,” he adds.
End of isolation
Louise Golpin, a 39-year-old bartender who once had COVID-19 and is not worried about catching it, approaches the new stage with confidence and caution: “It’s too soon, it’s too late, I do not know.
He regularly wears the mask in traffic and in stores.
The UK, more reluctant than other UK countries (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), lifted the restrictions on 19 July last year. But Omigron’s origin, more contagious than Delta’s, led Boris Johnson’s government to launch its “Plan B”.
Measures aimed at strengthening the safety of the population through promotional vaccination campaigns and continuing efforts to persuade those who are reluctant to be vaccinated. Thus, 37 million booster doses were administered, which, according to the government, allowed to reduce the number of serious cases and hospitalizations and reduce stress on the health system.
According to the latest statistics, 64% of the population over the age of 12 received the third dose. As the number of cases exploded during the holiday season, Boris Johnson opposed calls for further tightening of controls.
He believes the facts have proven him right: hospitals have resisted, the number of ventilator patients has not risen and cases have dropped significantly. However, in the worst-affected countries, the UK records nearly 100,000 new cases every day, with nearly 155,000 deaths.
The prevalence of the disease is particularly high among children and adolescents, according to a study published by Imperial College London. Of the 3,500 people who took part in this large study, which tested positive between January 5 and 20, two-thirds were already infected with the virus.
The Prime Minister hopes that in the event of a positive test, the duty to isolate oneself can be suspended in March, as “those affected by the flu have no legal obligation to isolate themselves”.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”