[ad_1]
The British government backed a series of measures on Thursday (New Zealand time) that it hopes will curb a worrying rise in new coronavirus cases, particularly among young adults, including a legal ban on any social gathering of more than six people in England.
In the biggest reversal of the lockdown easing for months, he said social gatherings in England will be limited to a maximum of six people, either inside or outside the home. The new limit will take effect from next week and police will be able to fine, and even arrest, anyone who breaks the rules.
Among other measures, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “safe Covid bailiffs” will be introduced to help ensure social distancing in city centers and that border force officers will step up efforts to ensure that arrivals comply with quarantine rules.
He also said pubs and restaurants will have to take the contact details of all customers or face sanctions, and he warned sports teams that fans cannot return to stadiums in October as expected.
READ MORE:
* Boris Johnson threatens to annul the Brexit agreement, which according to the EU would violate international law.
* Coronavirus: Covid tests at airports are working, travel experts say
* The UK ignores criticism and makes former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott a trade envoy.
* Coronavirus: 250,000 visitors expected at US rally Despite Covid-19 fears
“These measures are not another national blockade,” Johnson said at a press conference behind a podium with the new government slogan “Hands Face Space.”
“Their goal is to avoid another national blockade.”
Acknowledging that the myriad of meeting rules have become “complicated and confusing,” Johnson said more clarity was needed in light of the recent spike in cases in a country that has seen Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak.
“Now you just need to remember the ‘rule of six,'” he said.
Stefan Rousseau / AP
The change in England will take effect next week as the UK government looks to curb a recent ongoing spike in coronavirus cases.
The new meeting limits will be set for months, a timescale that potentially frustrates any hope of large family reunions around Christmas.
Johnson said he “is still hopeful” that an “instant” mass testing plan, accompanied by results within minutes, could return many aspects of life to some kind of normalcy, even ending the need for distancing. social among those who test negative. .
He reiterated that the government is targeting 500,000 daily tests by the end of October, more than double the current amount.
Stefan Rousseau / AP
A UK government virtual press conference, left to right, with Professor Chris Witty, Chief Medical Officer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, on Downing Street in London.
The new cap on meetings follows a near doubling of new confirmed virus infections over the past week, which according to government figures has been seen largely among young adults, particularly those aged 17-21. years.
On Monday and Tuesday, the number of laboratory-confirmed daily positive cases reached nearly 3,000. 2,659 more were announced on Thursday.
Citing the example of Belgium, the UK government medical director said meeting limits can help prevent the increase in cases among young adults from leaking to more vulnerable people, such as the elderly, in the run-up to the winter.
Alberto Pezzali / AP
UK Medical Director Professor Chris Whitty, left, and Senior Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance walk after the virtual press conference in which the government announced that the legal limit for social gatherings will be lowered 30 to six people in London.
“This is a clear indication that if you act quickly and decisively when these changes occur, there is a reasonable chance, a good chance, to get rates back in control,” said Chris Whitty.
“People shouldn’t just see this as something very short-term,” he said.
While there are exemptions, such as for schools, workplaces and “life events” like funerals and weddings, Johnson said he hopes the new limits are easily understood and followed. Those who break the rules could be fined £ 100 pounds (NZ $ 194.5) for a first offense and up to £ 3,200.
The other parts of the UK (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) have not followed suit, although they also have their own meeting limitations.
Stefan Rousseau / AP
Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference in Downing Street, London, following the announcement that the legal limit for social gatherings will be lowered from 30 people to six.
Stephen Griffin, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds School of Medicine, said the new limits are “welcome and timely” but that “it would be wise for all (UK) nations to coordinate their response and learn from each other. in cases where several approaches have been successful. “
Johnson’s conservative government has faced strong criticism for its mixed messages since it began easing the coronavirus lockdown in late spring.
Ben Birchall / PA / AP
A woman wearing a mask to protect against coronavirus leaves a store, a day after the Caerphilly county district began a local shutdown following a “significant spike” in coronavirus cases, in Caerphilly, South Wales .
He spent much of the summer, for example, encouraging people to eat out to help the struggling hospitality sector and now urging workers to return to their offices to help the worst-hit businesses in city centers.
Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labor Party, said the new shackles in everyday life represent an acknowledgment by the government that it had been very wrong in recent months.
Ben Birchall / PA / AP
People wear masks while waiting for a bus next to Caerphilly Castle, a day after the Caerphilly county district began a local shutdown following a “significant spike” in coronavirus cases, in Caerphilly, South Wales.
“I think the government has now recognized that their poor communications were a big part of the problem, so it needs to be fixed,” he said. “But we support the principle of measures and ask everyone to follow those rules.”
The UK has the worst death toll from the virus in Europe, with nearly 41,600 deaths in the 28 days after testing positive. The actual number of victims is believed to be much higher, as the government tally does not include those who died without being examined.
