UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will today, Monday, February 21, 2022, announce an end to all legal COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in England.
The announcement by the PM will suggest that it is time for the UK to move on despite political opposition and unease from the UN’s health agency.
Two years after COVID-19 sparked the worst health crisis in generations, Mr. Johnson will address parliament to outline how he plans on easing COVID-19 restrictions and returning life to normalcy.
However, he stands accused by opposition parties of seeking to distract public attention, with his premiership in danger as police continue with investigations into a series of lockdown-breaching parties at No.10 Downing Street.
“Today (Monday) will mark a moment of pride after one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history as we begin to learn to live with Covid,” Johnson said in a statement.
“The pandemic is not over, but thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout, we are now one step closer towards a return to normality and finally giving people back their freedoms while continuing to protect ourselves and others.”
UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
Under the “living with Covid” plan, the government intends to end a legal requirement for people to self-isolate when infected with the coronavirus this week.
According to the government, local authorities will be required to manage further outbreaks with pre-existing legal powers and is expected to phase out free Covid testing for the general public. But the NHS Confederation, which represents senior managers in the state-run National Health Service, revealed in an internal poll that a large majority of its members opposed an end to self-isolation and free tests.
The Confederation’s Chief Executive, Matthew Taylor, acknowledged that the government’s mass vaccination programme and the emergence of new Covid treatments offered “real hope”.
“But the government cannot wave a magic wand and pretend the threat has disappeared entirely.”
Confederation’s Chief Executive, Matthew Taylor
‘Very unwise indeed’
A World Health Organization special envoy for Covid, David Nabarro, indicated that scrapping the law on self-isolation was “really very unwise indeed”.
Nabarro also added that while the UK has suffered one of the world’s worst per-capita death tolls in the pandemic, it remains a country with “an enviable record for public health expertise.”
“I really do worry that Britain is taking a line that is against the public health consensus – that other countries, other leaders will say if Britain is doing it, why can’t we, and this will create a bit of a domino effect around the world.”
A World Health Organization special envoy for Covid, David Nabarro
In the UK’s decentralised system, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own health policies and are largely staying more cautious as against Johnson’s intentions for England.
The opposition Labour party said that ending free testing was similar to substituting “your best defender” with 10 minutes to go in a football match.
“Boris Johnson is declaring victory before the war is over, in an attempt to distract from the police knocking at his door.”
Labour’s health spokesman, Wes Streeting
No.10 Downing Street on Friday, February 18, 2022, confirmed the submission of Mr. Johnson’s written response to police questions about parties held over the past two years, as detectives probe whether attendees violated strict social distancing and virus prevention rules instituted at the time.
Mr. Johnson has stonewalled questions about the “partygate” affair in an interview, and also declined to answer a resignation question if the Metropolitan Police fines him for his involvement.
Nevertheless, Mr. Johnson insisted that despite the apparent party breaches by himself and his staff, the public would still follow guidance to self-isolate when necessary, even without a legal mandate.
Referring to general compliance with the rules since the breaking of the pandemic, the Prime Minister said: “Look at the evidence, look at what the British people have done.”
READ ALSO: Stunning Moment E-Money Arrives at Birthday Party in Rolls Royce From Underground Compartment
