British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday unveiled a four-step road map to remove “not all legal limits on social contacts” in England on June 21, assuming certain tests are met.
Why it matters: The UK has the worst Coronavirus mortality rate in Europe and has seen its economy contract by 9.9% by 2020 – the biggest drop in production in more than 300 years.
- Johnson’s government imposed a rural shutdown for the third time in January as business increased as a result of the emergence of a new, more contagious coronavirus variant.
- But the country’s vaccination is among the best in the world – with 26.1% of the population vaccinated as of Monday – leading to a significant decrease in infections and optimism that the outbreak will be curtailed in the coming months. .
Details: Before taking any step, the government will review infection data and ensure that the following four steps are adhered to:
- The vaccine deployment program successfully continues.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective to reduce hospitalizations and deaths in those who are vaccinated.
- Infection rates does not risk an increase in hospitalizations that will put unsustainable pressure on the National Health Service.
- The government’s assessment some of the risks are not fundamentally changed by new virus variants.
If these tests are met, the gradual removal of the restrictions on exclusion will not start earlier than the following dates:
- March 8: Schools and universities will be open to all students.
- March 29: Outdoor sports and mixing in groups of six were allowed.
- April 12: Gymnasiums, libraries, salons, outdoor hospitality, all retail and indoor children’s activities are allowed.
- May 17: Indoor entertainment and attractions, indoor organized sports, limit for 30 people outdoors, some large events with capacity constraints and international travel (subject to review) are allowed.
- June 21: No legal restrictions on social contact – nightclubs will reopen and larger events will be allowed.
What they say: “Many people will be concerned that we are too ambitious and that it is arrogant to impose any kind of plan on a virus. But I also believe that the vaccination program has dramatically changed the odds in our favor and that is why that we can continue now, ‘Johnson told MPs on Monday.
Read the full plan.