Doctors, trade unions and the opposition particularly criticized the decision to lift the mask requirement in local transport and retail. It is worrying that Johnson enforces the easing “at full throttle”, said the head of the medical association BMA, Chaand Nagpaul. Business representatives, on the other hand, reacted with satisfaction.
The day before, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the remaining corona measures in England should be lifted on July 19. These include distance rules and a mask requirement. Night clubs and discos are allowed to reopen, and there are no longer any audience restrictions for events. A binding decision should be made next Monday (July 12th).
The country is in unknown territory, said health scientist Devi Sridhar on Sky News. It is a “massive experiment”. Opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party called Johnson’s plans “ruthless”. Metropolitan Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotherham, pointed out a Yougov poll found that 71 percent of Britons are in favor of maintaining the mask requirement. London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that he would discuss wearing masks on subways, buses and trains with transport companies and the government. “My mask protects you, your mask protects me,” tweeted Khan.
Video: Pcksteiner (ORF) about the planned openings in the UK
Health Minister Sajid Javid, however, defended the plans. On the BBC 4 radio station, Javid admitted that the number of new infections would increase. “If we loosen up and start the summer, we expect a significant increase, the number of cases could rise to up to 100,000 (daily),” said the minister. In Great Britain, the number of corona infections has recently skyrocketed: The seven-day incidence, i.e. the number of new infections per 100,000 people within a week, was last given as 229.9 (as of June 30). The reason is the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.
“We have to learn to live with the virus”
Javid stressed, however, that the use of vaccines has weakened the link between infections and hospital admissions and deaths. “The vaccines work, they are our protective wall,” said Javid on Sky News. “We have to learn to live with the virus.” The minister said it was time to focus on other health issues. Millions of people would not have turned to the National Health Service (NHS) with their concerns during the pandemic. This must also be a priority. “It can’t always be about Corona,” said Javid.
The industry association UK Hospitality, which represents restaurants and tourism businesses, praised the announcement as a milestone. The British Beer and Pub Association pointed out that more than 2000 pubs could finally open that are currently still closed due to strict distance rules. The event industry was also enthusiastic. The industrial association CBI also welcomed the plans, but warned that companies should put the safety of their employees first.
It remains to be seen how the plans will affect schools and travel. It is expected that from July 19 onwards only students who test positive will have to be self-isolating. Your classmates can still go to school – so far, they too have had to be quarantined at home. It is also planned that after their arrival from countries such as Germany, which are on a “yellow list”, those who have been completely vaccinated will no longer have to be self-isolated after their arrival.
