“Living with the virus”: Boris Johnson defends the end of restrictions in the United Kingdom

For Boris Johnson, it is time to “live with the virus”.

"I'm not saying we should throw caution to the wind, but it's time for everyone to regain their confidence," said the Prime Minister, in an interview broadcast this Sunday by the BBC, the day before a new lifting of the restrictions. UK restrictions.

This Monday, the British Prime Minister is to announce a broad plan to ease health restrictions and could end the isolation of Covid-19 patients, despite calls for caution from some local scientists.

While waiting to enter this new era of the pandemic, the tenant of 10 Downing Street is preparing the ground in the media.

Thanks in particular to vaccination coverage, the United Kingdom has "reached a stage" which makes it possible to move from "the obligation" of certain behaviors to "encouragement", he mentioned during his interview with the BBC. , suggesting a drastic change in the way of approaching the health situation.

End of positive isolation

Among the measures mentioned by Downing Street, the end of self-isolation after contracting the virus could be put in place as early as the end of next week.

In addition, screenings could also become chargeable.

Speaking to the BBC, Johnson told the country that the country could do without spending "two million pounds a month" on testing.

The United Kingdom, whose government has been calling for several weeks to live with Covid as with the flu, was among the first in Europe to try to return to pre-pandemic life, relying on high vaccination coverage. , such as Denmark or Sweden.

72.7% of the UK population is fully immunized.

On January 19, Boris Johnson had already committed the United Kingdom to a first series of health reductions, lifting most of the strict restrictions facing Omicron, such as teleworking or the wearing of compulsory masks.

He promised to return to parliament on February 21 to present his new strategy.

An outpouring of freedom criticized

With more than 160,000 dead, the United Kingdom is among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic.

The situation is improving: the British are observing a clear decline in contamination, with around a weekly average of 45,000 new daily cases.

However, the prospect of ending the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive and ending free testing has been roundly criticized, including by senior NHS officials, the UK public health service and the government. World Health Organization (WHO).

“Boris Johnson declares victory as the war is not over, in a diversionary attempt as the police knock on his door,” opposition Labor MP Wes Streeting, responsible for health issues, pinged on Sky News.

The paradigm shift is announced under close surveillance.

On the BBC, Boris Johnson tried to reassure and assert his sense of responsibility: “Covid-19 remains a dangerous disease, especially for the unvaccinated.

There are still people who have not been vaccinated, or who have not had their recall, ”he repeated, hoping to convince that it is time to live normally.