British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signaled an early end to all coronavirus restrictions in England, including the legal requirement of self-isolation for positive cases, if “encouraging trends” continue.
Johnson said he would present the government’s strategy “to live with Covid” when parliament returns from a short recess on Feb.
“As long as the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we can end the latest domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a month earlier,” Johnson told lawmakers on Wednesday. ).
Covid-19 infection rates across the UK have fallen since peaking in early January but remain relatively high. On Tuesday (8), 66,183 new cases of coronavirus were reported, with 314 deaths, according to the latest government data.
According to the latest figures from Our World in Data, 72.9% of the population of England is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
On February 1, Denmark became the first country in the European Union to lift all coronavirus-related restrictions. The Danish Health Minister told CNN that widespread vaccination helped the country reopen, despite the infection rate remaining high.
“Opening the Doors”
While Johnson’s comments are welcomed by some in England after nearly two years of coronavirus restrictions, others fear the country is moving too fast to abandon protective measures.
A spokesperson for the Covid-19-affected families campaign group accused Johnson of “opening the door to Covid-19” without considering the consequences for those most vulnerable to the disease.
“The prime minister may wish this disease was no more dangerous than the flu, but the reality is he is throwing the most vulnerable in our society to the wolves.”
Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said Johnson’s comments were “quite a surprise”, although there was “reason for optimism” in the drop in infection rates, particularly among children.
“The concern for me remains the most vulnerable, especially those who, for medical reasons, may not have responded as well to the vaccine as we would have liked,” Hunter said. “Robust procedures need to be in place to ensure infections in this group are diagnosed early and antivirals are provided within hours of any positive result.”
renewed pressure
Johnson, meanwhile, remains under pressure over allegations of Downing Street partying amid lockdown after a photograph published by a UK tabloid appeared to show him meeting with others in an office setting, with a bottle of champagne. .
According to The Mirror, the photo was taken on December 15, 2020, when England was under strict coronavirus restrictions. The photo was published when Johnson appeared in Parliament for the Prime Minister’s questions.
“In the last few minutes, a photo has emerged of the Prime Minister in Downing Street on the 15th of December 2020, surrounded by alcohol, food and people wearing ornaments…is this not one of those already under investigation?” asked MP Fabian Hamilton of the opposition Labor Party.
Johnson replied, “In what he just said, I’m afraid he’s completely wrong.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, the London Metropolitan Police Service said it was revising its earlier assessment, based on evidence available at the time, that the December 15 event did not reach the threshold for criminal investigation.
An investigation into alleged parties in Downing Street and Whitehall that violate Covid-19 regulations, released last week, condemned a “leadership failure” in the Johnson administration.
The inquiry revealed that police were investigating at least 12 events — including at least two of which Johnson allegedly participated — and a third that took place in his apartment that he previously told lawmakers did not happen.
The December 15 meeting was not included in the list of events, published on January 31, as being investigated by the police, but was mentioned in the Downing Street inquiry.
Officials investigating the alleged parties will send “formal questionnaires” to more than 50 people suspected of having participated in these events, police said in an updated statement.
The questionnaire will ask participants to report and explain their participation in the events under investigation. He stressed that the document has “formal legal status and must be answered truthfully” within seven days of receipt.
People who violated Covid-19 regulations at the time may be subject to retroactive fines if the police deem it appropriate.
Source: CNN Brasil
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