Comprehensive Reuters and other British media reported that on February 20, local time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that he hoped that the United Kingdom would retain the ability to find new coronavirus variants, but with the decline in cases and deaths, the British government must stop spending too much on free testing for the new coronavirus.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Image source: People's Vision
Asked by the BBC how the UK will discover new strains thereafter, Johnson replied: "I want to make sure that we have the ability to find things and recover as quickly as possible, and we need resilience... But for example, when it comes to testing, we don't need to continue to spend at a rate of £2 billion ($2.7 billion) a month, as we did in January. ”
It is unclear when the UK's free COVID-19 testing policy will end, with sources saying that the policy is expected to be phased out in the coming months as the weather improves and confirmed cases decrease.
Johnson also said the UK would begin testing for covid-19 at a "much lower level". He added: "I think it's important that the British people feel confident again and they should feel able to return to work in the normal way. I would like to see our country really get back on its feet. ”
In response to Johnson's preparations to end the UK's free virus testing policy, British ministers have been warned that the removal of government virus testing for vulnerable groups amounts to a "care tax" on them, which will cost them more than £500 a year.
People in the UK line up to be tested for COVID-19. Image source: People's Vision
Current data suggest that nearly 4 million uklings are regularly tested for COVID-19, including visiting and caring for vulnerable relatives. This figure also includes some vulnerable groups working in environments that may put them at greater risk.
A study supported by the Liberal Democrats of the United Kingdom, which reflects the average cost of testing, shows that Britons who are tested twice a week for COVID-19 face an average of £534 a year. Previously, the UK government's scientific advisers warned that the elimination of free testing would "increase anxiety" and restrict those who are clinically disadvantaged or live with vulnerable groups to "go out of their homes and participate in society".
Professor Graham Medley, chief outbreak modeller at the UK government's official Emergency Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE), said the main purpose of providing free virus testing was to allow people to make personal decisions about the risks they and others face, and that if people were denied this right, they would not be able to make informed choices.
In addition, as part of the Uk's "coexistence with the new crown" model, Johnson will formulate a plan to remove the epidemic prevention restrictions on the 21st, announcing the abolition of all epidemic restrictions affecting individual freedom in England, and even people infected with the new crown virus will no longer be required to self-isolate. In a statement to Parliament before announcing the above decision on the 21st, Johnson said: "Today will mark a proud moment in one of the most difficult periods in our national history as we begin to learn to live with the new crown." ”
According to the Johnson administration, the "coexistence with COVID-19" model aims to free the UK from COVID-19 faster than other countries. Under the plan, the UK will be the first major European country to allow people to know they are infected with the new crown virus and still have free access to shops, public transport and work.
In this regard, British government advisers said that the cancellation of epidemic prevention measures may lead to a rapid increase in confirmed cases.
Source: Global Times
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