US and UK Suggest Further Easing of Quarantine Measures... Spain Lifts National Border Restrictions After 6 Months

Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 9th (local time), U.S. government officials appeared on broadcasts one after another over the past weekend, suggesting the possibility of further easing of COVID-19 prevention guidelines. European countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain are also gradually relaxing their quarantine measures.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), appeared on ABC on the same day and said that social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines would be updated. Fauci said, "Since more people have been vaccinated, there is a need to make the prevention guidelines somewhat more flexible," adding, "We will update social distancing and mask usage guidelines almost in real time."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased COVID-19 prevention guidelines last month. People who have completed vaccination do not need to wear masks in places where crowds are not dense. Also, vaccinated people can gather indoors together. According to the CDC, currently 58% of American adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 coordinator, appeared on CNN on the same day and stated, "We have passed a turning point," indicating that the pandemic has entered a new phase. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner under the Donald Trump administration, appeared on CBS and said, "I think it is time to eliminate collective mandatory prevention guidelines," adding, "People should decide for themselves whether to avoid contact with the public or wear masks."

There are also voices calling for further easing of prevention guidelines to increase vaccination rates. The idea is to provide more benefits to vaccinated individuals to reduce vaccine refusal. The White House has set a goal to have more than 70% of the adult population receive at least one vaccine dose by Independence Day, July 4.

Fauci, appearing on NBC on the same day, said that the number of people wearing masks might increase during the upcoming flu season in winter. He predicted this because COVID-19 has confirmed that masks are effective in preventing infectious diseases.

Citizens of Barcelona, Spain, gathered in the square on the morning of the 10th (local time) to enjoy a festival celebrating the lifting of the national state of emergency aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. The day before, the Spanish government lifted the nighttime curfew and interregional travel restrictions that had been in place since October of last year.
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Fauci also acknowledged that the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is likely higher than official statistics indicate. Johns Hopkins University has recorded about 581,500 COVID-19 deaths. Recently, a research report suggested that the actual number of COVID-19 deaths could reach 9 million.

Fauci said, "There is no doubt that the official death toll is lower than the actual number of deaths," but added, "Nine million seems a bit too high."

In Europe, as vaccination rates increase, more countries are easing prevention measures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in a statement that additional easing of prevention measures will take place starting on the 17th. Accordingly, indoor gatherings of up to six people or within two households will be allowed. Indoor operations of restaurants and cafes will also resume.

The Spanish government lifted the national border order, which had been in effect since October last year, on the same day. From that day, the nighttime curfew and inter-regional travel restrictions were lifted. In Spain, which began COVID-19 vaccinations at the end of December last year, out of a population of 47 million, 13.2 million have received one dose, and about 6 million have completed two doses.