UK Prime Minister Johnson has reported viral restrictions in England to Reuters

By Alistair Smout and William James

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday set out plans to end social and economic cuts to COVID-19 in England in two weeks to demonstrate whether a rapid spread of vaccines provides sufficient protection against the highly contagious Delta variant.

Johnson confirmed the government’s intention to end the restrictive measures on July 19, and will make a final decision next week. He said the step will remove the formal boundaries of social relationships, instructions for working from home and orders to wear masks.

After tackling the new coronavirus after setting the toughest limits on behavior in Britain’s peacekeeping history, Johnson is betting on a vaccine program that has weakened the link between infections and hospitalizations. The health service could be flooded with a new wave of coronaviruses.

According to the plans, the nightclubs will be allowed to reopen and there will be no limit to the capacity of the catering halls. Guidelines for social distance will be discontinued.

“We have to be honest with ourselves. If summer comes and we can’t reopen our society in the next few weeks of school holidays, then we have to ask ourselves when we’ll be back. Normal?” Johnson said at a news conference.

Johnson has imposed a health policy on England, but not on Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Britain has suffered the highest number of deaths in the world as a result of COVID-19, and Johnson has complained that it is too slow to implement each of England’s three blockades.

But vaccination in the UK has been very high: 86% of adults have received the first dose and 64% have received two doses since Monday, according to government data.

Johnson also said people under the age of 40 would make their second dose and be invited to COVID shots 12 times before 8 weeks, more than 12 weeks, in line with the policy for those over 40.