British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that legal restrictions would now be replaced by individual ‘informed decisions’ as lockdown restrictions were further eased in the country.
British PM Boris Johnson. (Photo: PTI File)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says people in England will no longer be required to wear face masks in indoor public places and keep them at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart later this month, despite the rising coronavirus pandemic. Confirms opening plans. case
Johnson confirmed on Monday that legal restrictions will be replaced by individual “informed decisions” as the country moves to the final stages of its lockdown-lifting roadmap. He said it was scheduled to be held on July 19, though the final decision would come on July 12.
The change will mean people can throw away masks after face-coverings for months, although businesses and transit operators may still require them, and they will still be recommended in some enclosed spaces.
Britain has recorded more than 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest in Western Europe, and confirmed infections are rising due to the highly transmissible delta variant.
Public health officials say Britain’s robust vaccination program has weakened the link between infections and deaths, but has not completely broken it. The government acknowledges that infections, hospitalizations and deaths will increase once the remaining restrictions are lifted.
Johnson said “this pandemic is not over” and “we must brace ourselves, sadly, for more deaths from COVID.”
Read also: Face masks will become ‘personal choice’ after UK lifts lockdown on 19 July
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