Criticism of opening plans: Prime Minister Johnson under fire

Doctors, unions and the opposition are storming the announced corona easing. Nevertheless, the British government is planning further steps – although it expects 100,000 infected people per day.

The announced end of all Corona regulations in England has sparked a storm of indignation against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In particular, the fact that the mask requirement should be lifted in local transport and in shops has met with some fierce criticism from doctors, mayors, trade unions and the opposition. It is worrying that Johnson is enforcing the easing “at full throttle”, said the head of the medical association BMA, Chaand Nagpaul. According to him, “there is a clear discrepancy between the actions the government is planning and the data and views of scientists and doctors.”

Opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party called Johnson’s plans “ruthless”, and health scientist Devi Sridhar spoke of a “massive experiment” on Sky News. London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that he would discuss wearing masks on subways, buses and trains with transport companies and the government.

Government expects a significant increase in the number of cases

Health Minister Sajid Javid defended the plans – although he admitted that they should have a noticeable impact on the number of new infections. On the BBC 4 radio station, he said: “If we loosen up and start the summer, we expect a significant increase, the number of cases could rise to 100,000 (daily)”. Nevertheless, the British government is planning further opening steps: From August 16, adults in England who are fully vaccinated would no longer have to go into self-isolation after close contact with a corona-positive person, said Javi.

Javid noted that the successful vaccination campaign has greatly reduced hospital admissions and deaths. More than 86 percent of all Britons have received at least one vaccination, 64 percent are already fully vaccinated. “We have to learn to live with the virus,” said the minister – and: “It can’t always be about Corona.” And in fact, it is mainly young people who were most recently infected with the coronavirus – serious complications only rarely occur in their age group.

Praise from business

Business representatives reacted with satisfaction to the announced easing. The industry association UK Hospitality, which represents restaurants and tourism companies, praised the announcement as a milestone. The British Beer and Pub Association pointed out that more than 2000 pubs could finally open that are currently still closed due to strict distance rules. The event industry was also enthusiastic.

Boris Johnsin will have to defend his government’s plans again tomorrow: He will answer questions from the House of Commons committee in London. The committee is the only one that is allowed to question the British Prime Minister on a regular basis – colloquially it is sometimes referred to as “barbecuing” because the head of government has little opportunity to evade critical questions. There is enough material for critical questions with the controversial plans to lift all corona measures.