British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Monday that he has given the go-ahead for that much-missed human contact from May 17 as part of the next round of lockdown easing following a sharp fall in new coronavirus infections. | @AP
Other easing measures included the reopening of pubs and restaurants indoors as well as cinemas and hotels, and allowing two households to meet up inside a home.
However, he stressed that people should exercise common sense given that social contact is the main way the virus is transmitted.
He also said people should remain vigilant to unexpected changes in the coronavirus data and the spread of new variants that could bypass some of the immunity provided by Britain’s successful vaccination campaign.
“This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and I am confident we will be able to go further,” he said at a briefing from Downing Street.
“This doesn’t mean that we can suddenly throw caution to the wind ... I urge you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones whether they have had a vaccine, one or two doses, and whether there has been time for that vaccine to take effect.”
The U.K. is now recording around 2,000 new coronavirus cases a day, compared with a daily peak of nearly 70,000 in January. Daily deaths have also plummeted with only four recorded on Monday.
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In a DZMM interview, Carlo Montehermozo, the Pangasinan fisherman who asked President Duterte during the 2016 campaign debate in Dagupan about the Scarborough Shoal, called Duterte a "joke" of a president. | @mjaysoncayabyab
@mjaysoncayabyab He was sought by DZMM for his reaction to President Duterte's statement that his 2016 campaign promise to ride a jetski to Scarborough Shoal was a joke and that those who had believed him are stupid. | @mjaysoncayabyab
@mjaysoncayabyab "Eh ang alam nami sir kaming mangingisda, matutulungan sa sinabi ko sa kaniya. Yun pala joke lang pala sinabi niya don. Kaming mangingisda dito, masama loob namin. Joke joke lang sinabi samen noon," the fisherman in Infanta Pangasinan says. | @mjaysoncayabyab
Hong Kong officials have dropped a plan to mandate foreign domestic workers be vaccinated against the coronavirus, after it was criticized as discriminatory. | @AP
@AP Officials initially proposed the plan after a foreign domestic worker tested positive for a coronavirus variant in April, with an unknown source of infection.
@AP The plan was dropped after officials assessed public health needs, as well as the legal issues that may arise if they made vaccinations mandatory, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said at a regular news briefing Tuesday.
A biker shared his experience on Saturday at Dunkin’ Philippines' first drive-thru branch located along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. (Photos courtesy of Henry Tuason Macasiano)
“The experience was overall good. One, we don’t have to park and lock our bikes outside just to buy inside the shop,” uploader Henry Tuason Macasiano told The Philippine STAR.
"Two, the bike table amenity outside also allowed us to eat conveniently, again without having to leave our bikes. And lastly, the al fresco bike table is much safer these days. The guard/staff also disinfected the table after our use," he added.
During his visit in Cotobato, Duterte inspected 1,000 assorted firearms and ammunition recovered from operations January to May this year. He was accompanied by 6ID Commander MGen. Juvymax Uy. | @xtinamen
@xtinamen Duterte: BIFF and allied terrorists are waging a war against each other, against local government, against the Armed Forces of the Philippines, this cannot go on... | @xtinamen
@xtinamen Duterte said if he gives an order for an all out offensive, it will be bloody, it will be sad. | @xtinamen
@alexisbromero Roque says Duterte admin not deflecting blame on West Philippine Sea issue, claims the Palace is just answering the allegations of critics. | @alexisbromero
@alexisbromero Roque: Nalulungkot kami na patuloy na negatibo ang GDP figures at nagagalak at the same time, from -8 e -4 na po ibig sabihin unti-unti na tayong umaahon. | @alexisbromero
@alexisbromero Roque says President Duterte will visit Cotabato today. In an earlier radio interview, Roque says the President will deliver a message to the BIFF, which seized a market in Maguindanao last weekend. | @alexisbromero