each part of the United Kingdom rules for the quarantine to be lifted.
From 1 June in the UK launched a new phase release from quarantine, which will allow citizens to meet on the streets. Thus each region eliminates the restrictions in his plan — faster all this happens in England, and the most careful turned out to be Scotland. “Izvestia” talked to the inhabitants of different parts of the United Kingdom and found out how much they are willing to go out into the world and do not fear a second wave of infections.
In late may, Prime Minister country Boris Johnson confirmed the easing of quarantine measures.
As told to “Izvestia” a month ago, a source in the British Parliament, the authorities will not allow exit from isolation as long as the ratio R (the number of people that can infect single carrier) will not fall below one.
In late may, scientific Advisor to the government Patrick Vallance reported that the index declined to 0.7−0.9 and this opens up the possibility of lifting the quarantine. Thus, by the end of may, according to Worldometer, registered in the country of 272.8 thousand infections at 38.3 thousand deaths. Most citizens — 8.6 million — fell ill on April 10, may 30, the number of infections amounted to 1.6 thousand.
At the beginning of a quarantine, usually of a hectic London has turned into a Ghost town, and it was scary — says the “News” 30-year-old lawyer Agnes. — However, now the situation has changed — the weather got better, and people are already boldly take to the streets. Still maintaining a safe distance, but not so strictly.
the easing of the quarantine bothers her — according to Agnes, the sense of danger for the months of isolation was gradually blunted and it is possible that a new phase will significantly reduce the social distance that must be maintained.
However, there is a strong sense that the peak of the pandemic has passed, says 25-year-old lawyer Yulia, a student of one of universities of London.
— You could once a day go out to play sports than most and enjoyed. The parks were police officers who saw to it that no one was sitting on the benches. With breakers, they spoke very politely, without fines and other penalties, she said “news.” — Now perceive the situation more calmly. For example, last week in London to open a cafe with the possibility to buy takeout, and people in masks became less.
For students around the world may — the time of the session. Their lives during this period and so assumes a full withdrawal of books — no matter the raging outside the window coronavirus or not. But the process of learning in the UK, the pandemic affected essential. 23-year-old Polina, a student from city of bath, told “Izvestia” about the new format outleties exams: now instead of a two hour written test graduates to give a list of jobs which should be done within 72 hours, the operational course work with no time for cheating. Such examinations, Polina will be five.
— All certificates of completion will be sent to the address we specify. For us it’s all over, and it’s a shame because we will not have the last point. Have a concrete plan how to compensate for the prom, no, ‘ says Pauline. But there is the situation and its advantages. Students have long struggled to due COVID we raised the rating. And at some universities announced that the average score in the end be what it was based on the previous years.
— During the crisis was particularly felt responsible for everyone, there was a feeling of solidarity with those who were forced to work — with healthcare professionals, bus drivers, says 27-year-old employee of one of the British NCOs Alina, who lives in Central London. — Across the country in the Windows you can see the rainbow in support of the system NHS (National Health Service — national health service. — “Izvestia”), which laid the main burden of the fight against COVID.
At the beginning of the pandemic to help NHS has been declared a set of volunteers, it was supposed to connect about 250 thousand people. However, they saw incredible support from the population, did not have time to process applications, and eventually increased the number to 750 thousand volunteers, and it was a whole army of volunteers, which gained in just a day.
In March, when the pandemic was gaining momentum, Boris Johnson made an appeal to the British. Then he said, what due COVID “many families lose their loved ones before their time”. These words discouraged the population, already unhappy that the government has taken no action. A few weeks later, when, under public pressure, quarantine still was introduced, the British Prime Minister himself was hospitalized with COVID. According to residents, this fact forced the British to push their political preferences by the wayside and unite. Past dissatisfaction no one remembered, though now there is an opinion that the leadership acted more slowly than was necessary.
I Think the people were surprised at how constructive the authorities have responded to the pandemic, says Agnes. — Although part of the testing of infections it would be possible to do more. I know people who have found themselves symptoms COVID and just followed the advice of the government, staying at home without any hospitalization. In General, the measures of the government are appreciated, but there is always something to improve.
In recent weeks, the real cause for discontent was nharushenie regime of self-isolation by the members of the government. In late may, the anger lashed out at the Prime Minister’s adviser Dominic Cummings, who is considered the mastermind behind Brexit and the “main villain”. He is accused that he is bypassing the rules went from London to his family in Durham in North-East England. In his defense, stood the head of the government. Later of a crime in this trip, the police found.
By the way, announced by Boris Johnson steps relate to the whole country, but only England. In other parts of the Kingdom — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — their governments, which themselves determine the timing of release from isolation. There it a little slower. In Scotland, for example, children going back to school, not before 11 August, in Wales Barber shops will be closed more months (in England they will earn from 4 July), and Northern Ireland will announce easing measures only on Thursday.
— Scotland from June 1 does not change anything. Was light relief, but they are much slower, and I think people are much more comfortable, something what’s going on in England, — told “Izvestia” 29-year-old self-employed resident of Edinburgh, James.
the principal relief in the near future in the region will not. According to 25-year-old engineer Geraint of living in Edinburgh, perhaps more people will take to the streets once the authorities have allowed to meet the residents of different households. Personally, he due rules of distancing from any meetings so far refused, even though the quarantine was for him a serious challenge.
— It was definitely hard, — shares with “Izvestiya” Geraint. — However, my company and I began to prepare for self-isolation until its official announcement. We’ve been practicing remote work, and I gradually began to limit their movement. Despite the fact that the period of isolation proved to be difficult, I and all my friends agree that it was necessary.
While talking about the fact that life in the region returns to what it was a couple of months ago, before. It would be at least irresponsible, said edinburger James. Everything comes back to normal gradually, and people adapt to a different world as you can.
Ekaterina Postnikova
