LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday ordered the reopening of the economy in England to resume as data showed a recent rise in COVID-19 infections had now levelled off.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen ahead of the arrival of Ireland’s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheal Martin, at Hillsborough Castle, in Belfast, Northern Ireland August 13, 2020. Brian Lawless/Pool via Reuters
The move highlights the governmentâs delicate balance between protecting the economy and preventing the virusâs spread, coming at the same time as the announcement of quarantine on arrivals from France and tougher penalties for those refusing to wear masks.
Last month, amid rising case numbers, Johnson said there was âa warning light on the dashboardâ and paused the reopening of casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks.
On Friday, he said that phase of his reopening plan could now go ahead.
âToday, we are able to announce some further changes which will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed,â he said.
Most businesses are now allowed to operate, albeit within strict guidelines. Fridayâs announcement means trials of crowds at sporting events can also go ahead and indoor theatre, music and performances can resume with socially distanced audiences.
The Office for National Statistics said a small increase in the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 in July had now levelled off, although some said this was not the primary driver for the lockdown easing.
âI donât think itâs really been taken on epidemiological grounds, I think itâs really been taken primarily for economic reasons,â John Edmunds, one of the scientists advising the government on its pandemic response told BBC radio.
Johnson also announced increased fines of up to 3,200 pounds ($4,175) for those who repeatedly refuse to wear a face mask where they are required to do so, and cautioned that he would halt the lockdown easing again if required.
âMost people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent,â he said.
Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison and Kate Holton
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