England is to eventually come out of lockdown with its successful vaccination programme weakening the link between Covid-19 and death, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday.
Despite a tenfold rise in infections over the last six weeks with the Delta variant taking hold, Boris Johnson said it was time for the country to “learn to live with coronavirus” and end most restrictions.
The UK recorded 27,334 new daily infections, the second highest since 29 January at the height of the deadly second wave. But on that day 1,247 died whereas today there were nine deaths.
From July 19 social distancing laws will be dropped but at a time when Britain could be experiencing a mass outbreak of 50,000 infections a day, Mr Johnson said.
While Britain has the fourth highest number of weekly infections in the world, with a 68 per cent increase in the past week, fatalities are low with 122 deaths in the same period placing it the nation 47th on the global list.
“We're seeing rising hospital admissions and we must reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths from Covid,” Mr Johnson said. “There's only one reason why we can contemplate going ahead to Step Four [full reopening] in circumstances where we'd normally be locking down further and that's because of the continuing effectiveness of the vaccine rollout.”
He insisted that with high vaccine numbers and the warm summer months dampening infections, if Britain did not “open up” in two weeks then it would have to wait until after winter next year.
The UK has vaccinated 45 million adults with one dose and 33 million with two out of a population of 68 million. Mr Johnson said it was clear that vaccines had “helped to break the link between disease and death” and that the majority of those admitted to hospital were unvaccinated.
From July 19 people will no longer have to observe the one-metre social distancing rule or wear masks. Music, theatre, sport and other large events will be allowed, with the restriction of 30 people gathering outside lifted allowing for full-scale weddings and funerals.
Nightclubs can reopen and table service at restaurants and pubs will no longer be mandatory. The directive to work from home where possible will be shelved.
While the government had to “balance the risks”, the prime minister argued that to continue with lockdown would take a “toll on people's lives and livelihoods”.
The government’s gamble is based largely on scientific evidence which suggests enough people are vaccinated to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed or large-scale deaths.
There will now be a voluntary approach to Covid with people asked to act responsibly although it is unclear whether this will extend to transport. The London Underground, where thousands of commuters pack into train carriages, looks likely to insist on mask-wearing for passengers.
For travel, those coming from amber countries may not need to isolate for 10 days on return. “We will work with the travel industry towards removing the need for fully vaccinated arrivals to isolate on return from an amber country,” Mr Johnson said.
The prime minister said he hoped everyone over 18 would be “double jabbed” by the middle of September.
The government decided against mandatory domestic vaccine passports in England.
Mr Johnson said people would now have to learn to live with coronavirus as they do flu, which accounts for about 10,000 deaths a year.
“We will do everything possible to avoid reimposing restrictions with all the costs that they bring,” he said.
“Freedom day” only applies to England. In Scotland it is scheduled for August 9 and a date has yet to be set for Wales and Northern Ireland.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company%20profile
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
