Nearly All COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted in England

SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON: Well, look, we support, generally speaking, restrictions being eased. What I don’t support is this being called Freedom Day, because it gives the impression we’re somehow liberated from this virus, when we know the virus is still here. We also know, in London, we’re getting, on average, 4,000 new courses — new cases a day across the country, around 32,000 cases during the course of a day. That’s why it’s really important for people to be aware that the virus still with us. The big game-changer, though, is the vaccine rollout. So, just in London alone, more than 10 million doses have been administered. More than eight out of 10 Londoners have had at least one dose. And those aged above 40, now almost 80 percent have had both doses. So we know that the increased success of the vaccine rollout, but also the weakening between the virus and serious illnesses, give us as an opportunity to try and reopen our economy, particularly hospitality, culture, the nighttime economy, and retail.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: You say that, and you obviously support some reasonable lifting of restrictions, and it can’t go on like this forever, as the prime minister and others say. However, you have also taken a stand, because you’re saying that not on my public transport systems. TFL, Transport For London, is going to have mandatory mask-wearing and the like. How do you plan to roll that out? It is rolled out, but to manage it, to make it adhered to? Do you think you will get pushback?

KHAN: Well, I have examined the evidence from experts used by the government — it’s called SAGE, the Scientific Advisory Group of Experts — the evidence from the World Health Organization, but also the evidence from experts like the Centers for Disease in the USA. And what they say, broadly speaking, is, indoors, where you can’t keep your social distance, wearing a face covering reduces the chances of transmission. It makes other safe if you were a face mask. And I think it can keep you safe as well, even when you have had two doses. So, as an additional layer of protection, as an additional layer of reassurance, I’m saying, when you’re using public transport in London, because it’s indoors, there are lots of people, and you often can’t keep your social distance, you’re required to wear a face covering.