Britain’s Prime Minister Launches New Testing Program as Isolation Measures Eased

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said everyone in England will be able to get tested for COVID-19 twice a week as part of a new effort to combat the pandemic as societal restrictions ease and vaccination continues at its rapid pace.

Johnson, who is expected to confirm later today, plans to resume international travel and open sectors of the economy, said that the new screening program would break transmission chains and help monitor asymptomatic cases.

With most European countries entering into new isolation measures to deal with the rise in covid-19 cases, Johnson devised a plan to ease restrictions in the coming months, which would give a strong impetus to one of the countries most affected by the pandemic.

Johnson is expected to confirm the reopening of all retail stores, open-air hospitality, and hairdressing salons from April 12 in England. There will also be a system to classify countries based on infection and vaccination levels in order to allow international travel.

Under the current plan, international travel will not be permitted until May 17 at the earliest. The Financial Times said Johnson was not expected to set a specific timeframe.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are taking similar steps to break out of the strict lockdown imposed at the start of the year.