The U.K. was due to end its COVID-19-related restrictions on June 21, but the government now says it is “absolutely open” to delaying the date, arguing it is still too soon to make a decision in light of the recent rise in infections.
The outlook: After becoming Europe’s model for its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with 41% of the total population now fully vaccinated against the virus that causes the disease, the U.K. could be at risk of lowering the guard — hence the warnings by government officials.