Brits are preparing for an end to all restrictions | Abroad

With the phasing out of all restrictive measures, the British are preparing for the end of the Covid pandemic. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is time to treat the coronavirus like the flu. The latest restrictive measures can be lifted from March 23, but if the House of Commons wishes it can also be lifted earlier, the prime minister said in a statement to the House of Commons.

Measures

There has been speculation for days about ending the most far-reaching measures still in force. This concerns, for example, the use of vaccine passports at nightclubs and concerts. But by announcing an end to all restrictions, the British are going a step further.

The announcement is in part due to Johnson’s predicament himself. His position is under pressure because the prime minister and direct staff are said to have failed to comply with rules imposed by himself in the past. The abolition of the rules is particularly popular with critical libertarian Conservative MPs.

Vaccinecampaign

But Johnson mainly points to a successful vaccine campaign. Although the target set in early December to provide all UK adults with a booster vaccine by the end of that year was not met, it did mean that the vaccine campaign was given a huge boost. Nearly two-thirds of all adults, and the vast majority of vulnerable groups, have now had a booster vaccine.

The announcement of the end of restrictions also confirms the UK government’s wisdom not to announce further restrictive measures around Christmas. With the rapid increase in the number of omicron infections, the pressure in this regard was high, including from the Labor opposition. Hospitals were under great pressure at the beginning of this month, but that is actually the case every winter with the vulnerable NHS.

Consultants

It is not entirely clear whether the measures now announced are shared by the government’s scientific advisers. Johnson always invokes “following the science,” but in the past he has often disregarded that advice. Opposition Labor Party supports Johnson’s measures provided they match unpublished scientific advice.

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