Amid rising new coronavirus cases in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that there were some hopeful signs that a vaccine for COVID-19 would be secured, but cautioned that the country should be realistic because not it can be taken for granted.
“There are some very hopeful signs especially from the Oxford AstraZeneca trials that are taking place, but since (the legislator asking the question) knows that SARS happened 18 years ago, we still don’t have a vaccine for SARS.” said to parliament. Reuters reported.
“I do not wish to depress him, but we must be realistic about it, there is a good chance of a vaccine, but it cannot be taken for granted,” said the British prime minister.
Additionally, Johnson imposed a three-tiered system of additional restrictions on parts of England, including closing bars as the COVID-19 outbreak accelerates, though anger is mounting at the cost of restricting freedoms.
Johnson announced the new three-tier system in an attempt to standardize a patchwork of often complicated and confusing restrictions imposed across England. Legislators will vote on the spot.
The lockdowns will include the closure of pubs and bars in areas placed on the “very high” alert level from Wednesday. The other levels of the new system are “medium” and “high”.
So far, Merseyside, in the North West of England, is the only area in the highest risk category. Gyms, leisure centers, gambling shops, adult gaming centers and casinos will also close, Johnson said.
“We must act to save lives,” Johnson told parliament, adding that he did not want another national blockade and that he understood the frustrations of those who mocked the “repressions of freedom.”
“If we let the virus rip apart, then grim math dictates that we would suffer not only an intolerable number of deaths from COVID, but we would put such great pressure on our NHS with an uncontrolled second spike that our doctors and nurses would simply be unable to engage in other treatments. “
Health officials say the most recent data showed infections were increasing in the north of England and also in some areas further south, while the virus progressed across the age ranges towards the elderly aged 16-29.
Manchester intensive care consultant Jane Eddleston said 30% of intensive care beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients and this was starting to affect the healthcare of others.
“This is not how we want to live our lives, but this is the narrow path we have to travel between the social and economic trauma of a total lockdown and the massive human and indeed economic cost of an uncontrolled epidemic,” Johnson said.
“The coming weeks and months will continue to be difficult and will test the mettle of this country,” he said.
But as millions of people across the UK fight restrictions, the hotel industry says the government is bringing it to its knees.
Some bar owners are contemplating legal action over the decision to close bars, saying Johnson had not presented the evidence to explain why they were being targeted.
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