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POLL EXCLUSIVE: A new poll carried out for POLITICO by Redfield and Wilton Strategies shows Britons remain highly cautious of the coronavirus and are continuing to take significant personal precautions following “freedom day” possibly helping to explain the recent fall in COVID cases. In a sign that the public is still very wary of the virus, 46 percent of the 1,500 Brits polled on Thursday think Boris Johnson lifted restrictions too soon on July 19, while only 33 percent think it was the right time to open up.
Following the rules: The poll suggests compliance with isolation rules remains high despite the so-called pingdemic, which has seen millions stuck at home. Some 78 percent of Britons said they would fully isolate if pinged because they’d come into contact with a COVID case. Just 10 percent said they wouldn’t isolate if asked. These numbers could provide some evidence that, as some in government suspect, the large number of peopl
China has threatened stern action against the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group (CSG) if it does not “remain restrained and obey the rules” as it sails through the South China Sea.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace set the scene earlier this month for a confrontation with Beijing when he said the deployment led by the flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth would sail on any route defined as legitimate under international law.
China claims the South China Sea despite an international court ruling in 2016 that it did not belong to the nation, which has grown increasingly assertive as it builds military bases and airport runways on constructed islands in the disputed waters.
Ministers announced on Wednesday that restrictions on international travel will be scrapped – allowing cruises to begin again.
They also said that double-jabbed US and EU travellers will be able to travel to the UK without the need to quarantine.
But there was nothing said about the high cost of tests that travellers must take to prove their Covid negative status, which can be hundreds of pounds.
Travel chiefs and business leaders demanded ministers act to reduce the cost of rip-off tests for holidaymakers
Abta, the group which represents tour operators and travel agents, welcomed the resumption of cruising but warned barriers remain. A spokesman said: ‘We need to see the Government make further progress on making testing more affordable and proportionate, and we need to see more destinations added to the green list at next week’s review.’
China threatens Britain over Royal Navy warships in South China Sea
Defence Secretary confronts China with deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth strike group in waters claimed by country
Updated
UK Carrier Strike Group and Indian Naval Force in the Indian Ocean during Maritime Participation Exercise on July 21 (Image: LPhoto Unaisi Luke/ UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2021)
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China has threatened stern action against the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group (CSG) if it does not “remain restrained and obey the rules” as it sails through the South China Sea.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace set the scene earlier this month for a confrontation with Beijing when he said the deployment led by the flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth would sail on any route defined as legitimate under international law.
China claims the South China Sea despite an international court ruling in 2016 that it did not belong to the nation, which has grown increasingly assertive as it builds military bases and airport runways on constructed islands in the disputed waters.