Even in England the era of free all ends. The increase in infections from the Omicron variant has forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deny himself again and to announce new restrictions to try to contain the spread of the virus. The news comes at a difficult time for the Premier, who is forced to face bitter controversy over a party organized in Downing Street in December last year, at a time when a new lockdown had been imposed on citizens.
JOHNSON'S PLAN B: ALL RESTRICTIONS
“We don't know this variant well yet, but in South Africa hospitalizations have also doubled, so we have to act in advance. Meanwhile, we need to vaccinate as much as possible with third doses, because they are very effective against Omicron,” Johnson said, just hours after Pfizer's announcement that the booster dose provides a effective protection against the Omicron variant.
The "plan B" announced by the prime minister introduces themandatory mask from 10 December not only in shops and public transport, but also in indoor places "such as cinemas, theaters and places of worship". Four weight exceptions: bars, pubs, restaurants and gyms. From Monday 13 December, however, all workers who have the opportunity to do so will have to go back to work smart working. One of the measures that is causing the most discussion – and which will have to be examined by the Parliament of Westminster – concerns the introduction of the NHS Covid Passes, sort of green pass in British sauce. It will be obtained by citizens who have completed the vaccination cycle and those who have undergone a Covid test, resulting negative. The new pass will be used to enter nightclubs and stadiums and to participate in major events, such as concerts. These rules will only apply to England, as proof of vaccination is already mandatory in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to enter public places.
THE ENGLISH DATA
On 8 December, for the fourth time in a week, the UK signed up over 50 new cases of Covid-19. Compared to the previous week, infections rose by 11,3%, while hospitalizations increased by 0,8%. There Omicron variant it has already reached 568 cases, the highest level among European states.
The epidemiologist of Imperial College London, Neil Ferguson, explained to BBC Radio 4 that "very soon, the cases of Omicron in the UK they will double every 2-3 days”. It is also probable, according to the scientist, that we will soon arrive at 2 thousand cases a day of the new variant which "being very contagious, by the end of the year, will become the dominant variant in the United Kingdom, even on the Delta". The peak, according to Ferguson's forecast, "could be in January 2022".
THE PARTY IN DOWNING STREET
The announcement of new restrictions represents a serious blow to the reputation of Boris Johnson, who has always promoted a policy based on "freedom" of choice and behaviour. As if that weren't enough, to further complicate things, came the rumors relating to an alleged party held in Downing Street in December 2020. The impact of the news was enormous: while citizens were locked up at home due to the umpteenth lockdown, in the seat of government we celebrated without remorse. Johnson, before the House of Commons, apologized and announced the opening of an investigation on the question.
