BRITAIN may see “mix-and-match” unlocking on June 21, with some measures like work from home and mask guidance likely to remain in place, as numbers of daily infections continue to rise in the country.
“A mix-and-match approach is probably on the cards, given the limited number of levers left,” a government source told The Times after prime minister Boris Johnson raised concern over the rising number of cases and hospitalisations.
"What everybody can see very clearly is that cases are going up and, in some places, hospitalisations are going up,” Johnson said on Wednesday (9).
“What we need to assess is the extent to which the vaccine rollout, which has been phenomenal, has built up enough protection in the population in order for us to go ahead to the next stage."
Previously, the prime minister had repeatedly said he had seen nothing in the data to justify a delay. The official update from the government is expected on Monday (14).
Key ministers and officials will reportedly discuss a range of options on Sunday (13), when Johnson on the sidelines will be hosting the G7, including a two-to-four-week delay and the possibility of a watered-down reopening that keeps some rules in place.
(Photo by Niklas HALLE'N / AFP) (Photo by NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP via Getty Images)
The tweaked rules of reopening are expected to include lifting the current 30-person limit on weddings and receptions and allowing far greater crowds to attend ceremonies, bringing it in line with the government's policy on funerals.
Bar mitzvahs and christenings are also set to be boosted under the proposals. While socially distanced tables may not be required, guests will still be urged to be cautious about contact with other households, as per a media report.
Meanwhile, fear over more transmissible delta variant remains amid constantly rising daily new cases as SAGE modellers have now highlighted the risk of a “substantial third wave”.
Top SAGE adviser professor Neil Ferguson warned that it will take up to another three weeks for scientists to get enough data to accurately work out how dangerous the delta variant (first reported in India) is and how bad the third wave will be.
The warning of the third wave comes on Wednesday (9), when the country reported 7,540 new cases in the biggest week-on-week spike since February, with the delta variant suspected for spiralling the numbers.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)