LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK will begin easing more public health restrictions from next week and is on track to reopen its economy completely in the summer. after months of blockage and a rapid vaccination campaign pushed back a deadly tide of infection.
The shifting fortunes of the UK contrast with a worsening picture in other parts of Europe, where rising cases and faltering vaccine deployments are putting governments under pressure to tighten controls to counter a resurgent pandemic.
France imposed a new national shutdown last week, while in Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing powerful regional governments to implement tougher measures to curb infections.
Johnson said the situation in neighboring countries means the UK cannot be pleased, as he confirmed that from 12 April England will move on to phase two of a four-step reopening plan. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own health policies and are moving in a similar direction.
“We can see the waves of disease afflicting other countries and we have seen how this story goes,” he said at a news conference. He urged the British to get vaccinated, to continue practicing social distancing and to limit travel.