UK Postpones Full Lifting of Lockdown by 4 Weeks to 21st

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United Kingdom, where the COVID-19 Delta variant is rapidly spreading, has decided to postpone the full lifting of lockdown measures scheduled for the 21st by four weeks.

On the 14th (local time), BBC reported, citing sources, that "senior government officials have approved maintaining the current COVID-19 regulations for an additional four weeks."

Since March, the UK has been easing lockdown measures in four stages at five-week intervals. With the current Stage 3 maintained, nightclubs remain closed and working from home is strongly recommended.

BBC stated, "Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to officially announce the delay in easing lockdown measures at a future press conference."

The UK reported 7,490 new cases the previous day, marking five consecutive days with daily cases in the 7,000 range. Among these, infections with the Delta variant account for 90%.

The authorities plan to extend lockdown measures by four weeks to monitor the spread of the Delta variant while increasing vaccination efforts. So far, more than three out of four people in the UK have received their first dose. Those fully vaccinated with two or more doses exceed half (53.54%) of the total population.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.