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The extensive, albeit significantly less stringent, restrictions in various respects that came into effect in the spring over a four-week period on Thursday in England to slow the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
Under a package of measures ordered by the British government to affect 56 million Englishmen, approved by a large majority in the Parliament of London on Wednesday night. Until December 2, people living in England can only leave their homes for certain reasons. These include emergency or planned medical care, the purchase of essentials and medications, trips to work for those who cannot do their work from home, and exercise outside. People living in the same household can do this together, but everyone can only meet one person, not one who lives under one roof, in public.
At the same time, outdoor activities for the purpose of cooling off and exercising are not as strictly restricted as in the spring.
At the time of the closure, which came into effect at the end of March, it was only possible to leave the street once a day for up to an hour to exercise, stay close to the residence, not sit on public benches or sunbathe in the parks.
Current regulation allows and even encourages unlimited stays outdoors, trips to places further from the house to cool off, and parks can be used without restrictions for walking or relaxing on benches.
Stores that sell non-essential items, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants, will be closed for the four-week limit that went into effect Thursday, but take-out can still be ordered and delivered to your home.
Pubs and bars can also sell spirits to-go by ordering online. Stores can also order online, and customers can pick up products ordered in this way from stores.
An important difference compared to the orderly closure during the first spring wave of the epidemic is that this time the schools and universities will remain open.
In the first phase of the spring restrictions, with the exception of those working in critical workplaces such as hospitals, displacement was also prohibited, even for those for whom it was not possible to work from home.
The government continues to encourage working from home, but jobs remain open, especially in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Another significant difference is that, unlike the spring restrictions imposed indefinitely, this time the measure has an end date. In the lower house debate Wednesday before the vote approving the decree, Prime Minister Boris Johnson specifically emphasized that the current restrictions will automatically expire on December 2.
The restrictive package of measures that came into effect on Thursday is a major turning point in the British government’s anti-epidemic strategy. Johnson, on several occasions in recent weeks, practically ruled out the reapplication of a nationwide quarantine, arguing that such a move would have catastrophic economic consequences.
(MTI)
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