from our correspondent
LONDON – Freedom to embrace from next Monday. The British are forbidden to touch each other: at least in theory – since March last year: but starting from May 17th, it will be possible to huddle with relatives and friends again. Though Boris Johnson has called for caution: This doesn’t mean we can suddenly throw caution to the wind, he said at a press conference yesterday. We all know that close contacts such as hugs are a direct way of transmitting this disease. So I invite you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones.
Helping the premier is the natural reluctance of the British to physical effusions. But the majority of the population is eager to take back life: and the general easing of restrictions starting next Monday represents, as Johnson said, the single most important step on the road to normalcy. Indeed indoor pubs and restaurants will reopen: from 12 April they had resumed service, but only outdoors. And the inclement British weather had forced lunches with umbrellas and aperitifs with duvets and blankets. Also from next Monday museums, cinemas and theaters will reopen. Green light also to hotels and guests in the house, even if a maximum of six or two families. Outdoors, on the other hand, gatherings and picnics for up to 30 people are allowed. The obligation to wear masks at school will also fall and university students will be able to resume activities in universities.
The London government can proceed on the way out of the emergency thanks to the success of the vaccination campaign: over two thirds of the adult population received at least the first dose and over a third are completely immunized. The effects on the progress of the epidemic are amazing: yesterday in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland there was no record no deaths from Covid (the UK’s total 4 deaths were all in Wales). So the authorities have lowered the alarm level: this means that the virus is in circulation but there is no longer a high transmission.
that is why Johnson is confident that he will be able to reach them safely the next stage, on 21 June, when the last restrictions will be abolished. However, the premier rejected calls to bring forward that date: we must live responsibly, he said, and use common sense. The London government is keeping the utmost caution on travel abroad. Since Monday, cross-border holidays are no longer illegal, but only very few countries are exempted from quarantine. Those arriving from Europe, including Italy, must observe ten days of self-isolation, as well as having to undergo two (expensive) anti-Covid tests. Britain has practically defeated the virus at home, but for this very reason it still keeps its borders armored.
May 10, 2021 (change May 10, 2021 | 22:15)
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