The United Kingdom on Monday (17) began the largest phase of reopening since the start of the pandemic.
It wasn’t just any two days. Across much of the UK, theatres, museums, hotels, cinemas and attractions, such as the Ferris wheel in central London, have reopened. Additionally, bars and restaurants can now be served indoors as well.
This is because Covid numbers are down. Within 24 hours, the country recorded five deaths and less than two thousand new cases.
In England, people can now make some visits at home and meet outside in groups of up to 30 people.
Britons can travel to some countries without having to quarantine on their way back. The government also issued new guidelines. As long as there is a good dose of common sense, even hugs are permissible.
A hug between fortified friends. One of them is Maria Lucia, until proven otherwise, the first Brazilian in the world to win a vaccine against Covid.
The reporter met her by chance outside the hospital where she works in London, when she just got her first dose, on December 8th.
Reporter: We are reunited today, five months later, in a much nicer place: a pub, a classic pub here in the UK.
Lucia: Nice to see you!
Reporter: I can’t hug you yet. We have this stifling hug, because I haven’t gotten vaccinated yet. I think I’ll take it next week. But there is one thing I can do. With 70% of adults vaccinated, the numbers here are very low now and with this new phase of reopening, my colleagues and I, reporters here in London, can now sign up in an open environment without a mask. Here you only need to wear a mask indoors or on public transport. So the time has come.
Lucia enjoyed this feeling of life returning to normal.
“I already have theater scheduled, ballet scheduled, a lot of things scheduled. God willing, that’s still ahead of us,” says Maria Lucia Bosas, a researcher at the UK Health System.
The government has called for caution, especially given the variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in India and is multiplying rapidly in the UK.
It’s not the end of the pandemic, it’s a far cry from that. But how good it is to be able to get such good news.
Amelia Kensington is a contributor to Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, presenting complex topics in an accessible and engaging way while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy and relevance.