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Boris Johnson extends COVID-19 restrictions in England as Delta variant cases rise
Updated 02:01, 15-Jun-2021
Nicole Johnston in London
Europe;United Kingdom
The UK is keeping some restrictions until July 19 because of the Delta variant, first found in India. It has double the risk of hospitalization compared with other variants in the UK, according to a recent study. /AP/ Alberto Pezzali

The UK is keeping some restrictions until July 19 because of the Delta variant, first found in India. It has double the risk of hospitalization compared with other variants in the UK, according to a recent study. /AP/ Alberto Pezzali

 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday evening that England will not remove all its COVID-19 restrictions on June 21 - the target date he set in March. It will now aim to "open up" four weeks later, on July 19. 

The decision means that social distancing, limits on gatherings and working from home will continue for at least another month.

The limit on the number of people who can attend weddings in England will be scrapped but rules on singing and dancing will remain. Venues will have to determine how many guests couples can invite depending on social distancing requirements and although the traditional first dance is expected to be allowed to go ahead, guests will have to remain seated when indoors, with a maximum of six per table.

Johnson also announced more pilot mass-gathering events are to take place, including Euro 2020 football matches games and some theatrical performances. England will host the semi-finals and finals of the Euros in the second week of July and there had been hopes the current limits on the 25 percent capacity would be lifted but that looks unlikely now.

The Delta variant, which was first identified in India, has forced the government to take a cautious approach to fully reopening the country out of fear of jeopardizing the vaccination program.

Public Health England (PHE) has found the Delta variant is now responsible for more than 90 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the UK. PHE says it's over 60 percent more transmissible than other variants and is spreading, with new cases doubling approximately every week.

Some experts say the UK is already at the start of third wave of infections.

 

 

Linda Bauld, a professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We've got large numbers of people in the top nine priority groups who haven't had their second dose. And until then, the Delta variant will challenge the second dose of the vaccine."

The reason for that is because PHE has found one dose of vaccine gives 33 percent protection against COVID-19. While two doses will boost that to over 80 percent. There's now an even greater sense of urgency to give as many people as possible two doses of vaccine.

The continued restrictions mean indoor dining numbers and theater capacities are limited. Nightclubs and large gatherings such as festivals will remain closed. Pubs and restaurants will continue to suffer reduced profits, if they have any profits at all.

Trish Hilferty, owner and chef at the Canton Arms in South London, told CGTN Europe that demand for dining is strong as there isn't a great deal to do in the city. "Well it's hard. But we're doing ok, you know. We are managing to tick over," she said. 

Hilferty added that table capacity is down 75 percent. "We are just accepting that this is the way it is at the moment and maybe we will be fully open by the end of the summer."

The government says it needs more time to assess whether vaccines have broken the link between virus infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

More than 55 percent of adults in the UK have had both doses of the vaccine. In total, more than 70 million doses of the vaccine have been administered.

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