"One last effort".
This is what Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson is asking of the British today in formalizing the postponement of the major definitive relaxation measures from the lockdown regime introduced in the United Kingdom due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to what was anticipated by Sky News before the premier's press conference, the gradual release of the restrictions that was initially scheduled for June 21st is postponed.
The new date of the so-called 'independence day' from Covid becomes July 19.
The cause is the rebound of infections of the Delta variant that arrived from India and became dominant in the country: it is transmissible up to 60% more than the so-called English (or Alpha) strain. According to several experts, it is prudent to wait another month to further increase the number of vaccinated people (so far over 70 million doses have been administered in the country). In essence, the restrictions currently in force on the number of people admitted to pubs, restaurants, cinemas and sporting events will remain after the previous reopening at the end of May, while discos and nightclubs remain closed for now.