England evaluates reopening of pubs

By Pan Pylas | Associated Press

LONDON – It seems like it was more like a typical Saturday night than a drunk New Year’s Eve.

The reopening of pubs in England does not appear to have overwhelmed the emergency services, as many feared before the further relaxation of Britain’s coronavirus blockade. But a senior police officer said Sunday that it was “crystal clear” that drunk people fought or ignored the rules of social estrangement.

For the most part, people seemed to abide by the rules and were happy for the opportunity Saturday to raise a pint in the company of their peers. But in some places, large crowds expressed concern that the deadliest outbreak in Europe could find fresh legs.

Chris Newell, a 33-year-old messenger, traveled to trendy Shoreditch in East London to see friends.

“As long as everyone keeps their distance, let’s have a few drinks and just enjoy it and try to get back to normal,” he said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the vast majority of people did “the right thing” and followed social distancing rules to stay at least a meter (more than 3 feet) away from members of another household if There are other security measures, such as hand sanitizers. .

“It was really good to see people outside and largely, largely social distancing,” he said on Sky News.

Police forces across the country said there were generally no major problems.

“It is vital to keep track of how far we have come and to act responsibly and play our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus,” said Bas Javid, commander of the London Metropolitan Police.

John Apter, president of the Police Federation, which patrolled the city of Southampton in southern England, said it was a busy shift, one in which officers had to deal with naked, “happy” drunk and drunk men. angry. ” . He said the change “managed to cope,” but that it was “crystal clear” that those who have had too much to drink cannot, or will not, social distance.

Pubs and restaurants worked hard to prepare for the moment, spacing tables, placing staff behind plastic counters, and checking in customers upon arrival. However, the use of masks is optional, even for staff.

Rafal Liszewski, a store manager in London’s Soho district, expressed concern about the growing crowd on Saturday.

“Everything quickly got out of hand and by 8-9pm it was a proper street party with people dancing and drinking,” he said. “Almost no one wore masks and no one respected social distancing … to be honest with so many people on a street, it was physically impossible.”

Some fear that the British government will be too hasty, even reckless, in sanctioning the changes. The confirmed figure for deaths from the UK virus of 44,198 is the third highest in the world, behind the United States and Brazil. The reopening of bars and restaurants in the United States and elsewhere has been attributed to an increase in new infections.

David King, a former chief scientific adviser to the British government, criticized the latest easing of the bull run. He said the strategy seemed to be “maintaining” the current level of approximately 3,000 new coronavirus infections per day across England to open up sectors of the economy.

“We need to look at the fastest route out of COVID-19 and that is not the current route, and that also means a better economic recovery,” he told Sky News.

The four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are moving at different speeds of the coronavirus blockade. Restrictions in England, with a population of around 56 million, have been lifted more frequently, raising concerns that Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being unduly influenced by the desire to boost Britain’s struggling economy.

Johnson’s office at 10 Downing Street, among many other places across the UK, lit up in blue at night to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the country’s beloved National Health Service, which provides medical care free to residents.

People across the country plan to applaud at 5 pm to say “Thank you” to the hundreds of thousands of NHS staff members who have worked selflessly during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Spitfire, the iconic WWII fighter jet, plans to fly over several eastern NHS hospitals, ending over Cambridge, with the message “Thank U NHS” painted on the bottom.