The UK government is ditching strict Covid-19 restrictions in England, despite a skyrocketing rise in transmissions and officials’ self-isolation controversy.
England has stuck to its plan that it will lift all of its lockdown measures from Monday, allowing people to stop wearing face masks.
However, UK Medical Director Chris Whitty warned of potential “trouble” linked to lifting controls, dubbed “Freedom Day” by the media.
Furthermore, UK authorities have been mired in controversy and confusion over their own self-isolation rules.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak would start working remotely next week after coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who had a lengthy meeting with Johnson on Friday, confirmed that he had tested positive for Covid-19, the Sunday Times reported.
Javid isolated himself for ten days after appearing alongside ministers in parliament last week.
A government source reportedly told The Telegraph newspaper: “I don’t see how half the cabinet doesn’t end up in isolation by the end of the week.”
A Downing Street spokesperson initially said that Johnson and Sunak participated in a pilot program to continue working from their offices while isolating themselves outside of work.
But, after facing backlash, the spokesperson recanted, saying that neither official took part in the pilot.
Johnson would reportedly remain at the prime minister’s country retreat at Checkers, northwest of the capital.
Social media anger erupted against the government over the carve-out for the special pilot.
Opposition politicians criticized official’s actions and comments after millions of school children and workers were forced to stay home.
“This govnt treat the public with contempt and think they are above the law and that the rules don’t apply to them,” Labor’s deputy leader Angela Rayner wrote on Twitter.
The controversy came a day before Johnson’s government prepares to lift most of the pandemic restrictions in England despite daily case rates exceeding 50,000.
Starting Monday, people won’t be forced to wear masks, and nightclubs and sporting events can run at full capacity.
Also, authorities would no longer recommend people to work from home.
Decentralized governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have decided to take more cautious measures and not fully reopen.
