73% National Immunity Achieved
On the 12th (local time), Soho Street in London, UK, reopened for business after three months. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The UK has judged that it has effectively reached herd immunity as 73% of its population has acquired immunity to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and has resumed operations of restaurants, pubs, and other businesses.
On the 12th (local time), the UK lifted lockdown measures and reopened shops, hair salons, gyms, pubs, and restaurants, marking the start of full-scale economic activities.
According to the UK Guardian and others, restaurants and shops in London and several other UK cities were crowded with people that day. Scenes of people lining up at outdoor pubs in London were also captured.
According to UK fintech company Revolut, consumption at hair salons reached 500% of pre-COVID levels that morning, and shops saw 250% of usual spending.
The Guardian reported, citing live data from global navigation company TomTom, that road congestion increased in major cities across the UK.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said when announcing the easing of restrictions, "This will be a great comfort to business owners who have been closed for a very long time, and an opportunity for everyone else to return to the things we love and miss."
Previously, the UK had imposed a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of variant viruses.
On the 12th (local time), Soho Street in London, UK, reopened for business after three months. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, after rapidly administering COVID-19 vaccines over the following three months, new confirmed cases significantly decreased. According to UK government statistics, more than half of the UK population has received the COVID-19 vaccine.
New COVID-19 deaths and confirmed cases in the UK have dropped by over 95% and 90%, respectively, compared to the peak in January this year.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) stated, "According to model predictions, the UK reached 'herd immunity' as of the 12th," adding, "The proportion of the population with immunity is 73.4%."
'Herd immunity' refers to a state in which a significant portion of a population has antibodies against a specific disease, preventing the virus from spreading.
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