Covid-19: in London, the Notting Hill carnival canceled a second time due to the variant

The carnival in London's Notting Hill, which traditionally celebrates Caribbean culture at the end of August, was canceled again, with organizers highlighting

“uncertainty”

on

Friday

about the pandemic in the midst of the Delta variant in the United Kingdom.

Flamboyant floats, thunderous orchestras, colorful feather headdresses and rhinestone bikinis, the carnival in this district of west London is usually one of the most important in Europe.

Read also: Covid-19: does the progression of the epidemic in the United Kingdom sign the failure of vaccines?

Like last year, it will "not take place this year in the streets, because of the permanent uncertainty and the risk of the Covid-19", announced in a press release the board of directors of the festival.

This

"incredibly difficult decision to take"

follows that of the government on Monday to postpone for at least four weeks the total lifting of health restrictions, in the face of the spread in England of the Delta variant, initially detected in India.

Read also: Covid-19: England postpones the lifting of the last restrictions by four weeks

One of the countries in Europe most bereaved by the pandemic with nearly 128,000 dead, the United Kingdom saw its health situation improve markedly in the spring thanks to a long confinement and a very effective vaccination campaign.

11,000 new cases daily

But the country is now in the throes of a marked jump in contamination, with more than 11,000 new cases detected in 24 hours Thursday, a first since February.

"With so much uncertainty, the little time to prepare and the risk of a possible cancellation which is a real possibility, we must refocus our efforts for 2021"

, explained the organizers, explaining to prepare a program of more events. in accordance with the sanitary situation.

Read also: The fear of a cancellation of the Nothing Hill carnival stirs up festivals in Britain

Last year, the carnival was held in digital version only, broadcast on four television channels.

Taking the streets of Notting Hill ablaze for three days, this event usually brings together two million people, making it the second carnival in the world after Rio, Brazil.