England may soon abandon legal requirements for wearing masks, a government minister said on Sunday as the nation waited for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce plans for easing Covid-19 measures.
Mr Johnson is expected in the next few days to update England on “freedom day’’ – the plan to end the remaining restrictions on business and social interaction on July 19. British media widely reported that many requirements, including mask wearing, would also end.
“We are going to, I think, now move into a period where there won’t be legal restrictions – the state won’t be telling you what to do – but you will want to exercise a degree of personal responsibility and judgment and so different people will come to different conclusions on things like masks,’’ Housing Minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News.
“The prime minister will set out more details on the national policy on some of those restrictions in the coming days.”
Some doctors have expressed concern about further easing of restrictions as infection rates rise, largely because of the more transmissible Delta variant. Despite the jump in new infections, there hasn’t been an equivalent increase in those needing hospital treatment and deaths, emboldening government ministers who believe Britain must learn to live with the virus.
The number of confirmed new infections recorded throughout the UK over the past seven days rose 67 per cent from the previous week, according to government statistics. There were 118 coronavirus-related deaths reported last week, one less than the previous period.
Public health officials attribute the divergence of the figures to the success of Britain’s vaccination programme. Almost 86 per cent of UK adults have received at least one dose of vaccine and 63.4 per cent are fully vaccinated.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Porpoise
By Mark Haddon
(Penguin Random House)
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
