The planned lifting of the corona measures in England is likely to be postponed by four weeks.
One trigger is the spread of the delta variant.
London - Next Monday (June 21st) should actually be "Freedom Day" in England.
However, the spread of the delta variant of the corona virus in the United Kingdom could now thwart the project.
Several British media reported on Monday.
Corona in England: Spread of the Delta variant causes the number of infections to rise
After months of descent, the number of corona infections in Great Britain has recently risen again. According to figures from the UK Ministry of Health, more than 7,000 new corona cases were registered on Sunday (June 13th). The seven-day incidence is now back at just under 65.
The spread of the Delta variant, which was first discovered in India, has caused the number of infections in the country to skyrocket again - even though the vaccination campaign is well advanced.
More than 56 percent of adults in the UK are already fully vaccinated.
However, according to the British health authorities, the delta variant could be 60 percent more contagious than the alpha variant that has prevailed in Great Britain up to now.
The Delta variant now accounts for more than 90 percent of new infections in the UK.
Corona in England: "Freedom Day" to be postponed - Johnson announced decision on Monday
According to the government's plans, the last Corona restrictions in England should fall on June 21, the "Day of Freedom". Discotheques should reopen and event halls, hotels, restaurants and pubs should be able to be used again with full capacity. As the
BBC
reports, the opening steps are now to be postponed by four weeks. At 6 p.m. local time, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to announce the postponement of the easing at a press conference on Monday (June 14).
On Saturday (June 12), Johnson made it clear on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Cornwall that there are doubts about the planned easing steps.
It is clear that the Delta variant is more contagious, he told
Sky News
.
It is still unclear to what extent the development of the corona situation in Great Britain will lead to increased mortality.
But it is "very worrying," said Johnson.
The other parts of Great Britain - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - decide independently about their Corona measures.
These differ only in detail from those applicable in England.
In some cases, planned easing there has already been postponed due to the spread of the delta variant.
(ph / dpa / afp)