Boris Johnson Pauses U.K. Reopening Amid New Rise In Covid-19 Cases

TOPLINE

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paused the United Kingdom’s reopening plans Friday and announced a new expansion of mask-wearing rules, as Britain—like a growing number of countries around the world—contends with a new surge of Covid-19 cases after an initial lull.

KEY FACTS

Crucial Quote

“We just can’t afford to ignore this evidence,” Johnson said at a press conference Friday. “With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control.”

Big Number

302,301: The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the U.K. as of July 30, as reported by  the U.K. government.

Key Background

The U.K. is one of a number of countries worldwide to be experiencing a new resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Europe has contended with a “second wave” of Covid-19, with case spikes in countries like Spain and Belgium, while even countries that had previously successfully controlled their outbreaks like Hong Kong, Vietnam and Japan are seeing new, significant rises in cases. French health authorities reported Friday that the country’s cases have increased by 54% in the past week, and Hong Kong announced Friday that it will delay its election for a year in reaction to its rising cases. Cases in the U.S. have consistently surged over the past weeks without ever significantly decreasing as in Europe, but even some states that had tamped down an initial surge of cases like New Jersey have reported a noticeable increase in cases in recent days, as lockdown measures have eased and some residents flout social distancing rules while cases in nearby states surge.

Further Reading

Boris Johnson postpones latest coronavirus lockdown easing in England (The Guardian)

UK puts lockdown-easing on hold as virus spread accelerates (Associated Press)

Here’s What England’s ‘Super Saturday’ Looks Like As Pubs Reopen (Photos) (Forbes)

France, Spain, Germany Suddenly Facing New Coronavirus Surge (Forbes)

Spain’s Coronavirus Cases Rise To Worrying Levels After Weeks Of Staying Low (Forbes)

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