The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has announced its COVID-19 plans for the winter months.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared Freedom Day in the United Kingdom (UK) earlier in July. Upon the announcement, the government removed nearly all COVID-19 measures across the country.
Commercial establishments, like clubs, pubs, and restaurants, have since opened with social distancing. Alongside this, wearing masks is no longer necessary.
Things have since appeared normal among the public. However, COVID-19 cases have continued to surge these past few weeks.
But, despite the current situation, the government has decided to drop some of its previous plans and measures. These include the use of vaccine passports.
Vaccine passport plans in the United Kingdom (UK)
The announcement emerged on Sunday, according to Sky News. Speaking to BBC, the Health Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), Sajid Javid said that the government is scrapping the plans to enforce vaccine passports. These were supposed to give access to individuals to establishments and crowded events.
As per the official, they “will not be going ahead with plans” for the passports. He noted, however, that they should keep it “in reserve as a potential option.”
Javid also asserted that “most people instinctively do not like the idea” of using such passports. In the end, though, he emphasized that the “virus has not gotten anywhere,” adding that there is still a pandemic. Hence, it is necessary to remain cautious.
“We shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid says a scheme for vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs and large events in England will not be going ahead
https://t.co/0WkSrkrIAB #Marr pic.twitter.com/bhWRfdXISZ— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 12, 2021
Potential return to lockdown
The public health official, then, talked about the likelihood of the United Kingdom (UK) returning into lockdown. He said that the government is “not anticipating any more” of it, according to WION.
Javid continued that families will celebrate the holiday season together. He reportedly reassured the public that their plans for the winter “will not be scrapped like last year.”
Nevertheless, the health official stressed that it would be “irresponsible” for any Health Minister across the world to take everything off the table. But, he just does not see another lockdown arriving.
Cases, deaths, and vaccination rates
The country is still seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases these past few weeks. This is despite having over 80 percent of the population, aging 16 and above, fully vaccinated. This equates to over 43 million individuals across the country.
Reports said that the United Kingdom (UK) recorded 29,173 new cases on Sunday. As for the number of deaths related to COVID-19, the figure is 56, according to Worldometer.
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