Move to next stage of easing with heavy dose of caution, says UK PM

Customers take in the view from a pod on the London Eye. Pic/AFP

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged people to move to the next stage of considerable easing of lockdown restrictions that allows greater indoor interactions with a "heavy dose of caution", as the UK continues to monitor rapidly rising cases of the B1.617.2 variant of Covid-19 first identified in India.

In what is step three of a four-step roadmap set by Johnson for easing the legally-binding lockdown restrictions, the hospitality sector including pubs, restaurants and cinemas and most businesses can resume close to normal service in England, Wales and most of Scotland.

However, surge testing and an accelerated vaccination programme is being implemented as the threat from the variant first found in India looms over the reopening, with UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning over the weekend that the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC) seems to "spread like wildfire" among those who have not been vaccinated.

"Together we have reached another milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution," said Boris Johnson.

"Everyone must play their part by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for your vaccine when called, and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air. I urge everyone to be cautious and take responsibility when enjoying new freedoms today in order to keep the virus at bay," he said.

The latest easing of lockdown, described by scientists as a very finely balanced political decision amid low overall Coronavirus infection rates but the doubling of the case numbers of the B1.617.2 VOC to over 1,300 in a week, comes as the National Health Service (NHS) hit another milestone in the vaccination programme.

Saudi Arabia set to lift travel ban

Saudi Arabia will lift the travel ban from Monday, with authorities saying that they were ready to operate international flights at full capacity. In an announcement on Sunday, the Interior Ministry announced that May 17 will mark the full opening of all borders - air, land and sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

Italy opens travel for some countries

Italy has formally reopened its borders for restriction-free travel for visitors from some countries, almost a year after the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the country. Many streets, parks and squares in the Italian capital were full of visitors over the weekend.

5,89,677
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

16,31,74,951
Total no. of cases worldwide

33,81,517
Total no. of deaths worldwide

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