LONDON: Day-to-day pandemic restrictions were lifted in England on Monday but "freedom day" was met with deep concern from scientists as coronavirus cases surge across the nation -- and around the world.
Fuelled by the more infectious Delta variant, cases are spiking across the Asia-Pacific, parts of Africa and Europe, and even the heavily vaccinated United States.
The 2020 Olympics were set to open on Friday in Tokyo, hit by a fourth coronavirus case in the athletes' village and the refusal of major sponsor Toyota to run any Games-related TV ads, further eroding support in Japan for the problem-plagued event.
Daily infection numbers have also climbed in Britain, averaging more than 50,000 since last week.
But despite accusations against the UK government of recklessness, it lifted legal mandates on social distancing, wearing masks and working from home, urging personal responsibility instead.
Nightclubs in England reopened their floors to dancing at the stroke of midnight for the first time since March 2020, while sports stadia, cinemas and theatres can now run at full capacity.
"I thought, well, we missed New Year's, so why not come out and celebrate?" said Nicola Webster Calliste, 29, outside a club in Leeds, northern England. "It's like a new chapter." Alex Clarke, 40, was at the front of the queue outside a club in north London.
"There's a bit of apprehension and uncertainty about the protocols," Clarke said. "But as long as everyone is sensible, then it'll be alright."
Covid-19 travel rules and self-isolation for close contacts remain in place.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who is self-isolating after his health minister was infected -- has defended the move, dubbed "freedom day" by some media, but urged people to remain prudent.
The government says thanks to a rapid vaccination programme, the risks to the healthcare system are manageable.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News he was "confident" the government was "doing the right thing" now, before any winter resurgence in respiratory disease.
But the approach is marked by "moral emptiness and epidemiological stupidity", said University of Bristol public health expert Gabriel Scally.
Scotland and Wales, whose devolved governments set their own health policy, said they would maintain the mask mandate among other curbs. European nations including Greece, the Netherlands and Spain have been forced to reimpose restrictions to battle new outbreaks recently.
Worries have also grown in the US, where despite a majority of the adult population receiving at least one shot and months of declining spread, Covid-19 cases have soared by 135 per cent over the past two weeks.
Los Angeles, which has seen a sharp spike, renewed its mask mandate, and the US surgeon general warned that other areas may have to do the same.
In West Hollywood nightclub Revolver, clubbers were warned in the queue: no mask, no entry. It frustrated the fully vaccinated at the venue, who said they should not have to suffer because of those refusing to get shots.
"Why should we feel responsible for individuals who don't want to protect their own body?" said Anthony Bawn, a 36-year-old screenwriter. "If they force me to (wear a mask), I'm going to go home." - AFP
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