Johnson announced that Britain would be taking a step back toward normal as some of the coronavirus mandates would be lifted as Omicron case reports recede.
QUICK FACTS:
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the end of COVID-19 measures put in place for Omicron in England, according to Reuters.
- The prime minister made the decision after widespread assessment that the peak of transmission was achieved and cases would decline from this point forward.
- Johnson’s policy change means none of the so-called “Plan B” measures are to continue to be enforced and face masks are not to be legally enforced anywhere.
- Additionally, COVID-19 passes will not be mandatory and work-from-home protocols will come to an end.
- Some analysts believe that Johnson’s decision was influenced by his attempt to “appease vocal opponents” of his restrictions, according to Reuters.
- The British prime minister has even said he might end the legal requirement for self-isolation for those who have tested positive for COVID sometime within the next few months.
DETAILS ON JOHNSON’S LOCKDOWN MEASURES:
- Lockdowns in Johnson’s Britain were different than many other European countries that had zero-tolerance approaches to the viral outbreak.
- “Many nations across Europe have endured further winter lockdowns… but this government took a different path,” Johnson told lawmakers, according to Reuters.
- “Our scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally… because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A.”
- A similar plan is being advised in Israel, according to The National File, who reported that vaccine adviser has recommended that vaccine passports come to an end.
BACKGROUND:
- Britain, with Johnson at the helm Britain was one of the first nation’s to limit travel internationally once reports of Omcron became national news.
- The nation was put under a work-at-home advisory late last year and mask=wearing and vaccine passes were also implemented.
- Like the United States, Britain is working under the assumption that Omicron has done the majority of the damage it’s going to do, as demonstrated by Axios’ report on the virus’ trajectory.
