Boris Johnson cautions people to remain careful while easing down lockdown restrictions
The Prime Minister of United Kingdom (U.K.) – Boris Johnson today, i.e., Monday, May 17, 2021, cautioned the people from lowering their guards against Coronavirus (COVID-19), as the lockdown rules ease in England, Wales and Scotland.
As per the new ease down rules, people in England, can now meet indoors in groups of upto 6 or 2 households or in groups of upto 30 people outdoors. Overnight stays are allowed. Hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants can serve customers indoors. Museums, cinemas, children’s play areas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadiums can all reopen.
In Scotland, except Glasgow and Moray, people can meet indoors in groups of 6 from upto 3 households. For outdoors, a maximum of 8 people can come together 8 households. Pubs and restaurants can serve alcohol indoors until 22:30 hours. Cinemas, theatres and bingo halls can reopen with 100 people.
In Wales, cinemas, bowling alleys, museums, galleries and theatres can reopen. Pubs and restaurants can reopen indoors and customers can meet in groups of upto 6 from 6 households. All holiday accommodation can reopen. As far as indoor socialising is concerned, it is still restricted to extended households where 2 households can mix with each other.
Speaking on the occasion, Johnson said, “We have reached another milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.”
Taking it to twitter, Johnson tweeted,
Today we move forward to Step 3 of our cautious roadmap to freedom.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 17, 2021
This is what you need to know ↓ pic.twitter.com/mrAW6YYDRO
Sharing her thoughts, the First Minister of Scotland – Nicola Sturgeon tweeted,
Covid restrictions ease further today as many parts of Scotland move to level 2 (sadly not yet Glasgow City or Moray) and many islands to level 1. This is a long awaited moment but remember that the virus still poses a big threat, so please continue to be cautious & very careful.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 17, 2021
Besides, foreign holidays have also been allowed in England, Scotland and Wales. The Government is also confident of lifting up all of the remaining restrictions on June 21, 2021. Northern Ireland will review lockdown rules on May 20, 2021, with the hope of easing down some restrictions on May 24, 2021.
This easing of rules comes at a time when England is concerned about the rising number of cases of B.1.617.2, the India variant of COVID-19.
Mass testing have been rolled out at hotspots including Bolton in Greater Manchester and parts of London and Sefton. More than 6,200 people were vaccinated in Bolton at the weekend. Government said it is keeping a close watch on the India variant and taking swift actions where infection rates are rising.
While the scientists believe that India variant spread much faster, the existing COVID-19 vaccines do work against the India variant.
However, the British Medical Association, the registered trade union for doctors in the U.K. opines that easing down of restrictions, in the wake of India variant is too risky. But Boris Johnson has always said that the road map out of the lockdown in England is irreversible.
