The British Prime Minister is relying on personal responsibility for the time after the end of the Corona measures.
But the British are frustrated by the government's contradicting announcements and behavior.
London - For Boris Johnson, the weekend before the end of almost all Corona measures known as "Freedom Day" on this Monday in England could hardly have gone worse.
Health Minister Sajid Javid, of all people, contracted the corona virus - even though he has been vaccinated twice.
At first it was said that the British Prime Minister and his Finance Minister Rishi Sunak would not have to go into self-isolation despite their contact with Javid.
The reason is participation in a pilot test, which instead provides for daily tests.
But a storm of outrage in the country led to a U-turn within a few hours on Sunday.
Johnson would isolate himself at his country estate Checkers, it said in a hastily postponed message.
Sunak admitted on Twitter that preferring government officials would not make a good picture.
After all, hundreds of thousands of Brits are currently sitting at home because the National Health Service NHS asked them to self-isolate after contact with an infected person.
For Johnson, who, after the end of the mask requirement and distance rules in England this Monday, relies entirely on people's personal responsibility, the back and forth could become a credibility problem. There is also frustration over the government's short-term decision to exclude neighboring France from the travel facilities that will apply from Monday. Despite having been vaccinated twice, returnees now have to be quarantined again. The criteria for this are difficult to see through.
The fact that the pandemic has now returned to the heart of the British government is reminiscent of the chaotic days last spring when Johnson himself became a corona patient. He had to be treated in the intensive care unit for days. Great Britain became Europe's problem child due to the high number of infections. And now the virus is again rampant almost unchecked - with the difference that a large part of the adult population is now vaccinated and the number of deaths remains at a low level.
Therefore, the government argues, it is right that mouth and nose coverings are no longer mandatory in trains, shops and cinemas from Monday and that even nightclubs are allowed to reopen without distance rules or numerical restrictions. Event companies and transport companies have already announced that they will no longer insist on wearing masks in accordance with the legal situation. Without the annoying piece of fabric, so their calculation, they have more guests and generate more sales.
Johnson does not accept criticism from experts of his plans. It is clear to everyone how they should deal with masks in the future, said the head of government - businesses and companies complain about a lack of guidelines. Entrepreneurs are "understandably confused" about the statements from Downing Street, says Roger Barker of the Institute of Directors. “Throw away masks or keep wearing them? Government guidance does little to dispel confusion. ”The TUC union warns of“ a recipe for chaos and rising infections ”.
The number of new infections every day is now over 50,000 - the highest it has been in half a year.
Hospital admissions are also increasing again.
Your clinic had to reopen the corona intensive care unit after two months, writes doctor Caroline Bullen on Twitter.
Critics accuse Johnson and his government of steering into a catastrophe with tens of thousands of fans in the stadium shortly after the European Football Championship.
In an open letter, more than 1200 experts, doctors and scientists call for the easing to be postponed.
Especially young people who have just received a vaccine dose and people with chronic diseases are at risk.
Millions could get Covid-19 in the long term.
The government has no doubts that the number of new infections will continue to climb. On the contrary: Health Minister Javid considers up to 100,000 new cases every day to be absolutely realistic. The scientific expert committee Sage expects at least 1000 hospital admissions and 100 to 200 corona deaths daily. But Johnson sees the time has come to lead the country towards normalcy. “If not now, then when?” Is the government line. Mild weather and the upcoming summer vacation are better framework conditions than the flu wave expected in autumn.
Nevertheless, there is no consensus in Great Britain, where health is a matter for the countries. With his advance, Johnson is making England an outsider, criticizes Mark Drakeford, Wales' head of government. He's loosening up just as cautiously as his Scottish colleague Nicola Sturgeon. Central component: the mask requirement. Drakeford emphasizes that anyone entering Wales by train has to put on a mask when crossing the border. Even in parliament there is great confusion. Parliament President Lindsay Hoyle complains that he has no authority to prescribe masks for MPs. Employees, on the other hand, still have to wear a mask, which is still a requirement on buses and trains in London. There is a risk of a patchwork quilt and even more confusion. It seems questionable whether Johnson will meet with open ears with his admonition to take responsibility for oneself. dpa