On February 21, 2022, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that England's Covid-19 limitations will be lifted after two years. Just after Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for the illness, Johnson stated that the country was returning to routine. Although the administration did not proclaim the outbreak to be finished, Johnson sought to get the country back on its feet.
Read: UCAS Says to Increase Support for International Students Planning to Study in UK
According to Johnson, Queen Elizabeth's sickness acted as a reminder that the epidemic is still ongoing. If the new regulations are passed by Parliament, they will only apply to England. Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would have their own set of rules. The new policy has been questioned by even some of Johnson's own supporters. Critics say the decision to lift the limitations was taken too quickly, while the political opposition accuses Johnson of attempting to divert police attention away from their probe. People will have to pay to find out if they have the coronavirus now that free testing is no longer available. The increased sick pay scheme will be phased down in late March 2022.
Check: India to UK Travel Checklist 2022: Know Travel and COVID-19 Mandatory Requirements
Johnson's declaration is a political watershed moment for him, as he has been advocating for a return to normalcy. People who test positive for Covid-19 will no longer be obliged to segregate themselves under the new protocol. He stated that the administration will now begin to adopt a strategy to help people return to normalcy. Instead of proclaiming the epidemic over, Johnson told the House of Commons that he would begin a strategy to live with the coronavirus. He went on to say that forcing people to be kind to one another was no longer effective, and that instead, individuals should act on their inherent sense of responsibility.
Also Read: India is moved from the 'Red' to the 'Amber' List in the United Kingdom
Johnson highlighted that a debate regarding the proposal to cease free coronavirus testing had been postponed. He went on to say that the government was spending roughly GBP 2 billion each month on free Covid-19 testing. A member of the House of Commons, Tim Loughton, stated that the country should learn to live with Covid. The availability of testing, according to Johnson, will convince the public that they are doing all possible to avoid becoming sick. The government will give a booster vaccine to anyone over the age of 75, according to Sajid Javid, the health secretary.
Also Check:
Comments