LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today unveil a plan to lift coronavirus restrictions from July 19, while urging the population to “learn to live with” the virus.
Johnson had initially aimed for a full reopening on June 21 but was forced to push back the date because of a surge in the highly contagious Delta variant. That variant now accounts for nearly all new Covid-19 cases in Britain.
The prime minister will give a press conference and Health Minister Sajid Javid is scheduled to address Parliament on the issue.
After Russia, Britain has the highest coronavirus death toll of any European country, at more than 128,000. It is gradually ending a third lockdown period, although some restrictions remain.
Night clubs have not been allowed to open, large-scale events do not run at full capacity, and service is still restricted in pubs.
The Prime Minister’s Office says the latest figures indicate that the number of cases will continue to rise as restrictions are lifted, but also that “the link to hospitalisations and deaths has been weakened” thanks to vaccinations.
In December, Britain was one of the first countries to roll out an inoculation programme and around 64% of the adult population has now received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
“Today we will set out how we can restore people’s freedoms,” Johnson was quoted as saying in a statement released ahead of his press conference. – AFP, July 5, 2021
