UK lowers Covid alert level

London, May 10

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out on next Monday the next phase of lockdown easing, giving the green light to “cautious hugging” and the serving of pints inside pubs after months of strict restrictions.

News about the next easing, to begin on May 17, comes as the country’s chief medical officers lowered the Covid alert level, meaning that an epidemic is in general circulation, but transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially.

The five-level alert system was devised last year to determine the levels of lockdown and social distancing required to keep the rate of infections from the deadly virus under check.

In a statement, the medical officers said social distancing and the rapid vaccine rollout had helped to bring Covid cases and daily deaths down sharply. “However, Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day, so we all need to continue to be vigilant,” they said.

Britain is in the process of gradually lifting its latest lockdown over a period of months, in line with a four-step plan unveiled in February. Under Step 3, from May 17 people will be permitted to meet up indoors for the first time in months, in groups of up to six people or two full households together. Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to host customers indoors. — Reuters

South Africa warns of ‘vax apartheid’

Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that if wealthy nations hogged Covid shots while millions in poor countries died, it would amount to “vaccine apartheid”. He sought support on waiver of vax intellectual property rights. Reuters

Anti-travel ban plea dismissed in Australia

Melbourne: A Sydney court has dismissed the plea of a 73-year old citizen, stranded in Bengaluru, against the ban on return from India. Justice Thomas Thawley said it was clear that the chief medical officer thought further relief would come by preventing further entry.