‘Freedom’ or ‘Disaster’  Day in the UK

It was billed as “Freedom Day” in Britain, with coronavirus restrictions ending at midnight on Sunday with a countdown in nightclubs  welcoming the new era  But others including the  government  supporting  Daily Telegraph labeling it “disaster day,” or“plague island” on Twitter. As restrictions were lifted  young people flocked to clubs and parties at midnight,le Health Secretary Sajid Javid had tested positive for covid and Prime Minister Boris Johnson — who has already had it — and senior  cabinet members   joined over half a million  people self-isolating. There are rising cases, – more 50,000 a day -, and hospitalizations due to the delta variant. Johnson’s government has been heavily criticized for bungling the pandemic, and even before the rules were lifted last night Downing Street was warning they could return.

There are now no limits on how many people can meet or attend events; nightclubs reopened at midnight, and table service will not be necessary for pubs and restaurants.

Face coverings will be recommended in some spaces, but not required by law.

Vaccines Czar Nadhim Zahawi said government experts had recommended that only some under-18s be vaccinated.

On BBC Radio 4’s program Zahawi defended the U-turn which saw the Prime Minister and chancellor self-isolating, after initially saying they would take part in a pilot program to take daily tests instead.

Zahawi insisted that Johnson only “considered” joining the pilot scheme, adding: “

Some scientists are predicting that UK infections – currently at about 50,000 a day – could reach 200,000 a day later in the summer.

But with more than 68% of UK adults fully vaccinated, modeling suggests hospital admissions, serious illness and deaths from Covid-19 will be at a lower level than in earlier peaks.

In a video posted on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, the prime minister said now was the “right moment” to move to the final stage of England’s roadmap out of lockdown.

“But we’ve got to do it cautiously. We’ve got to remember that this virus is sadly still out there. Cases are rising, we can see the extreme contagiousness of the Delta variant.”

Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said ending legal mask requirements and the recommendation to work from home was “reckless”, and warned of a “day of chaos” on the transport network as people returned to offices after months away.

“The last thing we want on a day like this is chaos and for the public health measures to be undermined,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

But Nadhim Zahawi defended the reopening, saying 90% of the most vulnerable had been vaccinated and it was right for people to take “personal and corporate responsibility” over measures such as wearing masks.

As restrictions ease in England, businesses such as nightclubs – and large events – will be encouraged to use the NHS Covid Pass to check people are fully vaccinated, have natural immunity from infection, or have a recent negative test.