LONDON, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The further easing of lockdown restrictions in England has been postponed for at least two weeks, amid concerns over an increase in coronavirus cases.
Casinos and bowling alleys will remain shut, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying it was time to “squeeze the brake pedal”.
Wedding receptions of up to 30 people were meant to be allowed as part of the changes but cannot yet happen.
Face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas.
People attending places of worship will also be required to wear face coverings, in a change that will be applied from next weekend.
But planned changes to guidance for those who have been shielding during the pandemic, and advice for employers, will still go ahead, Johnson said during a special Downing Street briefing, where he was joined by England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty.
Whitty warned that it might not be possible to ease the lockdown any further, explaining that the “idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control” is wrong.
Asked whether it was safe for England’s schools to open fully to all pupils in the autumn, he said it was a “difficult balancing act” but “we have probably reached or neared the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society”.
The rethink follows new restrictions for people in parts of northern England, after a spike in virus cases.
A further 120 people have died with the virus in the UK, according to the latest figures, and 880 new cases have been recorded.
Cases in England are increasing for the first time since May.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows there are around 4,200 new infections a day compared with 2,800 a week ago.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast that the increase in transmission in the affected regions was due to people visiting friends and relatives, citing fresh data from contact tracing. — NNN-AGENCIES
