Covid-19 in UK: Johnson announces new restrictions, calls for discipline
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions on September 22, 2020 to tackle the coronavirus epidemic.
Frank Augstein / Pool via REUTERS
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
While a second wave of contamination threatens the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson announced this Tuesday, September 22, new restrictions and warned against the possibility of more drastic measures.
To try to reverse the trend, restaurants, pubs and bars will have to close at 10 p.m. from this Thursday, while only table service will now be allowed.
Moreover, the Prime Minister invited the British to work at home if they can.
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With our correspondent in London
,
Muriel Delcroix
In addition to restrictions on restaurants and bars, the UK government has also postponed the public's return to sporting events which was slated for next month.
Wearing a mask will be compulsory in taxis as well as for employees in shops, bars and restaurants.
New restrictions greeted with skepticism by the British.
After considering a flash mini-reconfinement for a while, Boris Johnson finally opted for less drastic restrictions that could last six months.
To the despair of some Britons who, like this retiree, would have gone further: “
They are handling the situation very badly.
Me, I am not against another confinement.
It's better to be safe than to take risks.
"
But for this young couple, the restrictions are poorly targeted.
“
What bothers me is not being able to go to the office.
Restaurants and pubs, I don't care
, ”explains the young man.
His partner is skeptical of the restrictions on pubs: “
I'm not sure about pubs because people will continue to drink together elsewhere… But I guess it's a way to support the hotel industry.
"
“
The problem is the mixed messages: three weeks ago, they told us: 'Go back to the office, save the business.'
And now, it is: "Stay at home", whereas they could perfectly foresee this situation
", indignant the young man.
For his companion, people risk breaking the rules if they do not trust and communication is not clear.
Unclear rules and a lack of leadership
Lassitude and confusion are therefore the feelings that dominate among the British who regret a lack of leadership: "
With our government it is always: let's wait and see instead of acting
", explains a lady.
“
It makes us a little ridiculous in the face of Europeans.
Our government is always the one to do whatever it takes, so the British have to do what they can,
”retorts this other lady.
If he supports the idea of new restrictions,
Labor opposition leader Keir Starmer
has also castigated the Prime Minister's worrying lack of strategy in the midst of a "
national crisis
".
An update on coronavirus.
https://t.co/3uCUJ5grBm
Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 22, 2020
►Read: Covid-19 in the United Kingdom: a fine for positive cases that are not confined
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