England to impose COVID-19 restrictions only as a last resort

Britain’s Health Minister insisted on Saturday that reimposing coronavirus restrictions in England would be an “absolute last resort”, and that one should “try to live with covid.”

“Limiting our freedom should be an absolute last resort and the British hope that we will do everything possible to prevent it,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid wrote in an article in the Daily Mail.

The United Kingdom is one of the European countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with almost 149,000 deaths. On Saturday it registered 163,000 new cases, a slight drop after several days of unprecedented infections.

The British government, responsible for health policies only in England, has so far refused to restrict socializing and big events, unlike the rest of the UK.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have adopted new rules since Christmas with limits to congregations, at a time when the omicron variant triggers infections in the country.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government insists the data does not justify such measures in England.

“I have been determined that we give ourselves the best opportunity to live with the virus,” added Javid, citing the “enormous health, social and economic costs of confinement.”

Despite the record rates of infections, there has been a less dramatic increase in the number of hospitalized, which fuels hope that omicron is less severe than other variants.

“I have worked closely with the NHS (national health system) to ensure that it is ready and resilient for what is to come,” said Javid.

The government ordered the use of masks in most places in England in December and asked to work from home when possible, but has not implemented the measures taken by other parts of the United Kingdom.

Rather, it has opted for an intensification of vaccination, and around 60% of the eligible population have received a booster dose.