Testing the limits of vaccines, British PM Boris Johnson to end COVID-19 restrictions
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Ending COVID restrictions
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Opening up
Johnson confirmed the government aimed to end restrictive measures on July 19, with a final decision to be taken next week. He said the step would eliminate formal limits on social contact, the instruction to work from home, and mandates to wear face masks.
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High death toll
Johnson's government sets health policy for England, but not for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Britain has suffered the seventh highest global death toll from COVID-19, and Johnson has been accused of being too slow to implement each of England's three lockdowns.
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Vaccine push
But the take-up of vaccines in Britain has been strong, with 86% of adults receiving a first dose and 64% receiving two doses as of Monday, according to government data. Public Health England figures indicate that the vaccines are highly effective in preventing the Delta variant from leading to severe illness or hospital admission, especially after two doses.
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Reckless behaviour
Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer criticised the plan, and said that some legal measures, such as the requirement to wear masks on public transport, should be kept in place. "Simply throwing off all protections when the infection rate is going up is reckless," he told broadcasters.