The roadmap for reopening
The roadmap established by Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far been respected: last Monday the penultimate phase started, with the reopening of restaurants, pubs, cinemas, gyms, stadiums, galleries and museums and the possibility of traveling abroad, even if only to the few countries classified as “green” – in Europe only Portugal and Gibraltar.
The next stage is scheduled for June 21, the date on which life should return to normal, according to Johnson’s intentions: no more obligation to wear masks or social distancing, no more limitations on the number of people who can get together for weddings, funerals or parties. . However, experts warned that the rapid spread of the Indian variant in England could force a postponement of the reopening beyond the end of June. In recent days, sweeping tests have been carried out, especially in the areas most affected by the Indian variant, in the north of England around Bolton and Manchester and in some districts of London. In the capital, ten mobile units are sent every day to different areas for testing twelve hours a day.
Too much confidence
The problem is that the success of the vaccination program and the gradual reopening of shops and restaurants has given people the impression that the danger has passed, generating a sense of confidence that could prove to be a boomerang. Fewer people are coming forward for a free test now, while weeks ago there were long queues for testing for the South African variant or, before that, the English variant.
The situation remains improving for now, with a steady decline in deaths to 7 per day and 2,800 new infections, while over two thirds of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Thirties and twenties will be called in the next few days and the entire population should be vaccinated by July. However, as Johnson recalled in an appeal to the nation, the Indian variant represents a risk and “it is not yet time to let our guard down”.