‘Freedom Day’:Most Covid restrictions lifted in England despite soaring cases

(Update 1: adds reactions by London residents)

London, Jul 19 (EFE).- Almost all coronavirus restrictions were removed in England Monday in what the local tabloid press has described as Freedom Day, an occasion Prime Minister Boris Johnson will celebrate from isolation after coming into contact with the health secretary, who tested positive for Covid-19.

From today, there will be no limits on how many people can gather and, after over a year of social-distancing rules, nightclubs, bars and theatres can fully reopen with no restrictions in England.

Face coverings indoors are recommended though not mandatory and people no longer need to observe social distancing.

London residents welcomed the easing of restrictions even though said they would remain cautious.

“Being around people will bring more joy to life because everyone has been depressed because of the lockdown,” Luisa Edgecombe, who lives in London, said.

“I will still be wearing my mask especially in trains and tubes, and also when in shops, I feel safer wearing it,” she added.

“My life probably won’t change much, I’ll keep my mask on, keep social distance if I have to, keep doing tests if I feel unwell. Freedom day means to me that probably I’ll be able to do more stuff, drinking with more friends, that’s basically what’s going to change really,” fellow London resident, Charlie Harrison, said.

TV footage showed queues of partygoers outside nightclubs just after midnight as youngsters celebrated the change of rules.

On Sunday, the UK reported 48,161 new coronavirus cases and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to government data.