‘Freedom Day’ to go ahead in spite of warnings
PM and Chancellor forced to self-isolate after U-turn
THE LONG-AWAITED lifting of coronavirus rules will take place today despite stark warnings that soaring numbers of Covid-19 cases could see further restrictions as the UK’s most senior politicians have been forced to self-isolate due to the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will spend the so-called “Freedom Day” in self-isolation after being forced into a dramatic Uturn following a backlash to their planned involvement in a workplace testing pilot that would have let them avoid quarantine.
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak, the MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire, were contacted by Test and Trace after having meetings with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.
Early yesterday it was announced that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak would participate in a workplace testing scheme which prompted outcry. Less than three hours later it was confirmed both men would self-isolate as normal, with Mr Sunak tweeting: “I recognise that even the sense that the rules aren’t the same for everyone is wrong.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP for Barnsley Central, said the incident was “yet another shambolic episode from the Government in its handling of the pandemic”, adding: “The contradictory and confusing messages are undermining public confidence in the rules and efforts to get the virus back under control at a critical time.”
As rules are lifted in England, Mr Johnson urged caution and called on all adults to get both doses of a vaccine as cases continue to rise, with more than 48,000 recorded yesterday. From today, mask mandates will be scrapped alongside social distancing regulations and capacity limits at venues, giving large events and weddings the goahead with unlimited guests.
Holidays to most amber list destinations are also back on the cards for those who are double jabbed and children under the age of 18, as the 10-day home quarantine requirement on return has gone. People travelling to France will still need to isolate.
Double-vaccinated health workers in England who had been told to self-isolate will be allowed to go to work where extra safety measures can be upheld.
Meanwhile, a scientist whose modelling was influential in the Government’s decision to order the first lockdown in 2020 said it was “inevitable” that cases would reach 100,000 a day. Professor Neil Ferguson said: “The real question is, do we get to double that or even higher? And that’s where the crystal ball starts to fail.” He also said he “can’t be certain” on whether the nation will need to lock down again before Christmas.
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned the Government may need to reimpose restrictions if Covid cases continue to rise towards autumn.
ALMOST two-thirds of Yorkshire tourism businesses do not feel ready for coronavirus restrictions to be relaxed in England today amid a “palpable degree of excitement mixed with trepidation” about so-called “Freedom Day”.
The data collected from the industry by the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism organisation last week comes as customers are being urged to respect “house rules” that businesses may put in place as nationwide legislation changes today.
In total, 63 per cent of respondents to the survey said they were not ready for all restrictions to be relaxed, while 31 per cent welcomed the decision. Six per cent of business owners who answered said they would prefer a hybrid approach.
From today, most Covid-19 restrictions that have been in place across England for months have been revoked, including the legal mandate to wear a mask in enclosed indoor spaces and social distancing rules.
Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive, James Mason, said the organisation was able to speak to the public at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, which he said had been “a successful event with clear attendance instructions that made everyone feel safe”.
He added: “There was a palpable degree of excitement mixed with trepidation that is reflected not only in our recent survey but in talks with our members.
“Clearly there is a lot of work to be done to instil confidence in public perception that venues are operating safely and responsibly, and that can only be achieved with precise communication and positive visitor experiences.
“Likewise, from the supplier’s perspective, it is absolutely imperative that the general public will respect their choice to retain whatever level of restrictions they wish to do so for the safety of their employees, customers and business as a whole.”
Of those who answered the questionnaire, 57 per cent said they would support mask-wearing rules staying in place, and 15 per cent said the same about social distancing. Only eight per cent said they would want track and trace to stay, with 57 per cent of businesses saying they had experienced customers cancelling after being told to self-isolate.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said small businesses are “well-positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities on offer to them as the economy recovers”, but called on customers to respect rules that firms may keep in place.
The FSB’s chairman, Mike Cherry, said: “While restrictions have now been lifted, we’re urging all shoppers to respect the house rules at each business they visit from today, as owners strive to keep customers and staff safe.
“The Government and police should be getting the message across that firms will be supported if customers refuse to abide by their terms of doing business.”
There was a palpable degree of excitement mixed with trepidation. Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive James Mason speaking about a survey of members.