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England lifted coronavirus restrictions imposed to combat the Omicron variant on Thursday, with masks no longer being required in enclosed spaces and vaccine passports being withdrawn.
The number of positive Covid-19 cases has dropped dramatically in the last two weeks, and has plateaued in recent days, albeit remaining at high levels.
Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s warning of an impending “tidal wave” of Omicron, the UK government imposed the “Plan B” limitations on December 8.
Face masks were required in all enclosed spaces, and immunisation documentation was also required for entry into venues like nightclubs, football fields, and large-scale events, which was unpopular.
There was widespread support for the lifting of restrictions on the streets of London around St Paul’s Cathedral, which comes after more than 37 million people received booster shots.
“I believe it’s a fantastic idea,” said Elizabeth Hynes, 71, an Irish immigrant who has lived in England for 47 years.
She stated of the posters within the subterranean station, “I was coming up the lifts here at St Paul’s and I was looking at all the plays.”
“And I thought to myself, ‘How amazing, it’s just like back in the day.’
“It’s almost as if we’re returning to how London used to be, and you realise how much you’ve missed live theatre and amazing shows.”
Hynes said she was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma skin cancer but had “been lucky” so far in avoiding Covid.
“We don’t know what tomorrow will bring; all we can do is live… for today,” she added.
Julia, a 28-year-old Spaniard, believes it’s time to “return to normalcy.”
“It’s been two years,” she said as she awaited the opening of the St Paul’s eatery where she works.
She continued, “In Spain, we have to wear masks everywhere.”
You must wear the mask even if “no one is on the street.” The mask must be worn at all times on the beach.
“I welcome the limits in the United Kingdom since it will be incredibly tough for me to see my family there. I’m fully vaccinated, but I’d like to skip the nine-month vaccine.”
‘Traumatic’
Prior to the arrival of the Omicron wave, England had eased limitations on July 19, dubbed “Freedom Day,” but then imposed new rules.
Sajid Javid, the health minister, attributed the lifting of limitations to the country’s booster programme.
“Our vaccines, diagnostics, and antivirals assure that we have some of Europe’s greatest defences,” he stated. “This allows us to gently return to Plan A, restoring greater freedoms to this country.”
Face masks will still be necessary for passengers on London’s public transportation system as of Thursday, but they will no longer be required in secondary school classrooms.
“It was painful for them,” Hynes said of the mask requirements in school. “They couldn’t hear the teachers, and the teachers couldn’t hear them.”
Ethan Letson, a 24-year-old American tourist, agreed with London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s move to require face coverings on trains and buses in the capital.
Unlike Scotland and Wales, which have their own health policies, England kept its nightclubs and bars open during the holidays.
Businesses, on the other hand, suffered a significant setback as customers chose to stay at home.
Things have just recently begun to improve, according to hospitality workers in the St Paul’s commercial district.
“Business has started to pick up again in the previous week. It had died around the time of Christmas “Lewis Colby, a 39-year-old bartender, agreed.
“People aren’t as terrified as they used to be, trains are crowded on their way to work, and people are beginning to drink more.”
Those who test positive for coronavirus must continue self-isolate for a minimum of five days, despite the relaxation of limitations.
Johnson also stated that when the rules expire on March 24, he hopes to have them repealed.
