Why are all restrictions being lifted even though Covid cases are rising?
The number of cases of Covid-19 has been increasing since
May and there are now nearly 30,000 cases each day in the UK. In the past, such
a high number of cases would have led to a large number of people admitted to
hospital and also an increase in deaths. Fortunately, because of vaccination,
the number of people with a severe Covid-19 illness is now much lower than
previously. For example, in the last week, there have been around 20 deaths per
day on average from Covid-19 across the UK. This compares to more than 1,000
deaths per day during some days in January. The number of hospital admission is
also low, with around 300 hospital admission each day in the UK. The government
believes that vaccination is breaking the link between the number of cases and
the number of people with severe illness; and it therefore safe to end Covid-19
restrictions in England on 19 July. The government accepts that the number of
Covid-19 cases will remain at a high level.
Will the 1m social distancing rule be scrapped
everywhere?
The 1m social distancing rule will end in England on 19
July, meaning that people can mingle indoors and outdoors in larger groups. Indoor
businesses like night clubs will also be allowed to open.
Will we still be advised to wear masks even though it’s
no longer a rule, and why?
The government has said that wearing masks will be a
personal choice, except in a few higher risk settings such as care homes. Many
scientists, doctors and public health specialists disagree with this decision and
would like to have seen mask wearing remaining compulsory until the number of
Covid-19 cases was at a much lower level than it is now.
Should I keep wearing a mask in public transport?
My advice would be to continue to wear a mask on public
transport after 19 July as this protects others from the risk of infection.
However, this will be optional once Covid-19 regulations end in England. It is
possible though that some airlines will continue to make mask use mandatory on
their flights.
What’s the risks of maskless shopping?
The risk of acquiring an Covid-19 infection is much higher
in crowded, poorly-ventilated indoor settings. Once the 1m rule is scrapped,
shops will be much more crowded than they are now, which will make them a
higher-risk setting for transmission of infection. If you are in a vulnerable
group – such as the elderly or with a serious medical problem – you may wish to
consider wearing a more protective FFP2 mask when you are shopping or in other
crowded, indoor spaces.
And of singing in church?
A number of large Covid-19 outbreaks have been linked to
places of worship. When people sing, they expel more air and make transmission
of infection more likely in crowded, indoor settings, such as churches. Because
churchgoers are often elderly, churches may wish to retain some social
distancing measures after 19 July to protect the members of their congregation.
If my employer wants me to go back to the office but I
don’t feel safe, can I refuse?
Employees with at least 26 weeks of service have the right
to ask for flexible working, which can include working from home. Employers
must consider the request but can decline it if there are good business or
operational reasons for doing so. If you do have to work in the office, your
employer should carry out a risk assessment to ensure your working environment
is safe for you.
What might happen in schools if measures are scrapped but
children aren’t vaccinated?
In recent weeks, many schools have experienced Covid-19
outbreaks, with around 640,000 children across England currently at home
because there has been a case in their bubble. As most schools will close
around 19 July for the summer holiday, there won’t be an immediate effect on
schools. However, when schools re-open in September, there will be a risk that
we will see further outbreaks in schools because children have not been
vaccinated. We should be looking at implementing other mitigation measures to
reduce the risk of infection in schools, such as ventilation and air cleaning
systems, as has been done in countries such as the USA.
I’ve had both vaccines - can I still catch it, and how
bad could it be?
The vaccines used in the UK provide good protection against
symptomatic infection (around 80% after two doses) and even better protection
(over 90%) against hospital admission and death. However, some people who are
fully immunised can still get infected and a small proportion of these people
will develop a severe illness that could result in hospital admission or death
as no vaccine is 100% effective.
I haven’t had the vaccine - what precautions should I
take?
You should continue to follow government regulations on
social distancing and wearing face masks until 19 July. After then, you need to
bear in mind that Covid-19 infections remain at a high level and so you should
continue to be cautious in crowded, poorly-ventilated indoor spaces;
particularly if you are from a more vulnerable group at higher risk of a
serious illness if you become infected.
Is there a risk scrapping Covid measures could send us
back into lockdown?
It’s likely that Covid-19 cases will remain at a high level
during the summer because of the ending of Covid-19 rules and greater mixing of
people in indoor settings. However, vaccination should keep deaths and, to a
lesser extent, hospital admissions at a low enough level to avoid another
lockdown. There is though always a risk that even more infectious variants of
the coronavirus may emerge that will make current vaccines less effective and
precipitate another lockdown.
What about vaccination?
Currently, around 86% of adults in the UK have had one dose
of vaccine and 64% have had two doses. As two doses of vaccine are needed to
provide effective protection, this means there are still many people who are at
risk. Do attend for your first vaccination if you have not already done so and
attend for your second vaccination when this is due. Many areas are offering
walk-in vaccination clinics, which you can attend without an appointment.
How risky are pubs now people can order and drink at the
bar?
Crowded, poorly ventilated locations such as pubs will be
high risk settings for transmission of Covid-19 once restrictions end on 19
July. Because people in pubs will be drinking and lose some of their social
inhibitions, and also speaking loudly, this adds to the infection risk.
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