A number of experts have warned of the planned easing of restrictions in England on Monday, as concerns grow over the variant of the coronavirus first seen in India.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces growing criticism over when to add India to the red list of trips requiring quarantine at a government-sanctioned hotel on April 23, though it did was announced four days earlier.
On Saturday, Public Health England said there were 1,313 cases of the worrying Indian variant in the UK – almost three times the number in the previous week.
The variant is believed to be over 50% more transmissible than the Kent variant, which has dominated in the UK for a few months.
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On Monday, it is expected to allow socialization inside homes, pubs and restaurants, and physical contact with other households for the first time in England in over a year, as part of the roadmap of the government.
But experts say that – and possibly plans to end any remaining restrictions on June 21 – should be reconsidered.
The co-chair of the BMA’s public health medicine committee, Dr Richard Jarvis, has urged the public to take a “cautious approach” to social and physical contact.
“It is a real concern that when new measures are lifted on May 17, the majority of young people, who are often very mobile socially and could therefore be the most exposed to a more infectious strain, will not yet be vaccinated,” he said. he declared.
Professor Susan Michie of Sage said the easing of restrictions should be delayed, telling the Sunday Times: “If we are tracking data and not dates, it is surprising that the roadmap is moving forward without adjustment.
“The opening of indoor reception areas has the potential to increase COVID-19[female[feminine transmission.”
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-16 01:10:00
