◀ anchor ▶
The UK has become the first country in the world to remove all quarantine regulations related to COVID-19.
Even if confirmed, there is no need to self-isolate.
It has been two years since the pandemic began, and some are concerned that the decision is too hasty.
Reporter Park So-hee will tell you.
◀ Report ▶
The UK has lifted all quarantine regulations, including self-isolation of confirmed cases, and declared ‘living with the corona’.
It is a world first.
The new guidelines will come into effect on the 24th local time.
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“From this Thursday in the UK we will be removing all remaining quarantine measures that remain legal. If you test positive, you will no longer need to self-isolate.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the pandemic is not over, but the peak of Omicron is over.
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“The global epidemic of COVID-19 is not over, but the peak of Omicron has passed. The number of confirmed cases is decreasing.”
Since the risk of becoming seriously ill or dying even if infected has decreased, he is planning to solve the economic and social costly quarantine measures.
The self-quarantine subsidy for the low-income class, which costs about 810,000 Korean won, will also be abolished.
Also, from April 1, free rapid tests for COVID-19 will be suspended except for the elderly with symptoms.
However, the British government emphasized that it has maintained a surveillance system and has secured sufficient vaccines in case a new mutation appears again.
However, there is a backlash from the opposition party and the medical community against the sudden policy.
Chand Nagpol, president of the British Medical Association, said: “It’s a strategy that ignores the vulnerable in society, but at the cost of more freedom, it can lead to more uncertainty and anxiety.”
On the other hand, Archyde.com reported that Prime Minister Johnson was recently found to have violated quarantine rules and enjoyed parties several times, and criticized that the lifting of the quarantine guidelines was intended to distract attention from the ‘party scandal’. reported.
This is Sohee Park from MBC News.
Video Editing: Lee Hyun-sun
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