PM wants balance of govt rules, public responsibility

Описание: (5 Jul 2021) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to scrap mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing in England in two weeks’ time, despite surging coronavirus infections driven by the highly contagious delta variant.
Before a televised news conference on Monday afternoon, Johnson signalled that mandatory measures would be replaced by personal choice after July 19, the date dubbed "freedom day" by Britain's populist press.
In a major shift in tone, Johnson said the government was trying to "strike the right balance" as the country moves to the final stage of its lockdown-lifting roadmap.
He said that is scheduled to happen on July 19, though a final decision will come July 12.
The change will mean people can throw away masks after months of enforced face-covering, though businesses and transit operators may still require them.
They will still be recommended in some enclosed spaces.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the scientific community agreed that even after restrictions were lifted "some degree of further social distancing" would be needed.
Britain has recorded more than 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest toll in Western Europe.
Confirmed infections are rising due to the highly transmissible delta variant of the virus.

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