Almost 50,000 cases, 1,000 hospitalizations and 135 deaths a day. These are the alarming numbers recorded by the British authorities in the last 7 days. Figures fortunately far from the peaks of last January, when the victims were over a thousand a day and 4 thousand hospitalizations. But the fact remains that the situation worries Boris Johnson’s government ahead of the winter season.
This is why several experts, and the opposition Labor Party itself, are clamoring for new restrictive measures to be adopted. The so-called “plan B” that has been in the drawers of Downing Street since last September but which the premier has not yet wanted to bring out, preferring to opt for the “plan A” based on sweep tests and vaccinations. The weekly Observer wrote that last Friday the Health Security Agency surveyed local authorities to assess their degree of support for the immediate implementation of Plan B.
The situation today
There are currently no particular restrictions in the UK at national level. From 19 July there is no obligation of masks, nor of social distancing, stadiums and arenas have reopened with full capacity, in short, everything takes place as if Covid did not exist, or almost. There are, however, important distinctions between England, Scotland and Wales. England has the most liberal regime: masks are mandatory only in hospitals and RSAs, in closed or crowded places there is only a recommendation but no legal constraint. In public events such as matches or shows there is no legal obligation to present the green pass, the organizers can request it only for individual events.
Scotland and Wales tougher
The rules are stricter in Scotland, where from 1 October the green pass is binding for access to pubs, matches or shows. The use of masks is mandatory in most closed places. Similar measures are in place in Wales, where they took effect on 11 October.
What does “plan B” provide
So what is the plan B that Johnson could decide to launch if the epidemic accelerates further? The plan is ready to be triggered in the event that the national health system finds itself in conditions of “unbearable pressure”. Its pillars are: the obligation to wear masks in certain indoor places, on means of transport, or in crowded situations; possibility of introducing the obligation of vaccination passports at least for access to discos or large mass events (concerts, sporting events); encourage citizens to work from home; launch a communication campaign that invites people to exercise the utmost caution in their behavior.