UK Reinstates Indoor Masks... Israel Implements Booster Shots

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Leading countries in COVID-19 vaccination are presenting various solutions to the spread of the Delta variant. The UK, which is about to fully lift quarantine regulations, has decided to recommend wearing masks indoors, while Israel, which has the fastest vaccination rate in the world, has decided to administer a third dose (booster shot) to patients with low immunity.

Nadhim Zahawi, the UK Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, said in an interview with Sky News on the 11th (local time), "We plan to announce guidelines after the 19th of this month stating that 'mask-wearing is expected indoors and in enclosed spaces.'"

The UK's daily new confirmed cases have surged to the 30,000 range, the highest since January. It is forecasted to increase to 100,000 next month.

However, the UK government has stirred controversy by pushing ahead with the full lifting of COVID-19 measures as scheduled. The indoor mask mandate was originally supposed to be lifted along with social distancing, but it seems the government changed its policy in response to this controversy.

Minister Zahawi said, "Even though the legal obligation will disappear, we will continue to advise wearing masks in crowded places," adding, "We are changing the indoor mask-wearing guideline from 'must wear' to 'expected to wear'." Health Secretary Sajid Javid also said to The Telegraph that "people who take off masks in enclosed spaces are irresponsible."

Israel has decided to administer booster shots to patients with low immunity.

Nitzan Horowitz, Israel's Health Minister, said on the same day, "We will give a third dose to patients with compromised immune systems among those who have completed the second Pfizer dose." He explained, "The target patients are those who have undergone organ transplants or have suffered from immune deficiency diseases."

However, booster shots for the general public are still under consideration.

To prepare for a shortage of Pfizer's third dose, Israel plans to administer the Moderna vaccine, which it has already secured, to adults. Additionally, the supply originally scheduled to be received from Pfizer in September will be delivered on the 1st of next month.