Why Experts Are Predicting a 'Surge' in STIs Following Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions
Going to the pub? You could be walking into an STI hotspot, experts warn
13/04/2021
Rodolfo Parulan Jr.
As of yesterday (April 12th), England felt a little bit more normal — you could go out to visit a non-essential shop, rep out a workout in the gym and get a long-overdue haircut at your local barber or salon.
For some, however, the most important part of the latest easing of restrictions was the ability to buy a crisp, cold and alcoholic drink from your local pub.
This part of the government's roadmap out of the COVID-19 'lockdown' saw hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants begin to serve customers outdoors but, according to sexual health experts, came with a risk that correlated with measures being lifted in previous lockdowns — a spike in sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).