Coronavirus: UK asks for ‘common sense’ and ‘a little bit of caution’ before Christmas

Madrid, 1 (European Press)

Britain’s health minister, Sajid Javid, asked citizens on Wednesday to “be reasonable” and “a little careful” about the Christmas holidays, although he stressed there was “no need” for Britons to change their plans despite tighter restrictions on the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Speaking to the BBC, Javid recommended that residents undergo a rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19 if they attend a celebration where there are several people, but insisted that citizens “turn in, even if they are careful”.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged residents on Tuesday not to cancel their Christmas plans, while urging to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In a press conference, the “Prime Minister” confirmed that a third dose would be provided to all the target population by the end of January.

Meanwhile, the British Parliament has agreed to re-introduce the mandatory use of the mask in public transport and shops in England, in the context of the worsening epidemiological situation in the European country and given the concerns raised by the omicron variable. The UK abolished the mandatory use of a mask, and the rest of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, on July 19.

Javid defended the new measure during the day, arguing that the government acted “quickly” and that reusing face coverings was a “proportionate” approach.

The high numbers of COVID-19 infections that British health authorities have been checking continuously in recent weeks has prompted experts to call on the government to introduce restrictive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

The British government has documented the development of the pandemic in the country and the lifting of restrictions to contain its progression to the COVID-19 vaccination scheme. As of Wednesday, 80.6 per cent of the British population had a full vaccination plan.