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Commuters arrive in the morning rush hour at London Waterloo train station in London, U.K., on April 9, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Another 2,064 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,406,946, according to official figures released Monday.
The country also reported another six coronavirus-related fatalities, taking the national death toll to 127,434. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
To date, more than 33.7 million people have been given the first coronavirus vaccine jab.
On Monday, non-essential shops, gyms, swimming pools, pubs, restaurants reopened in Scotland as the region further eases its lockdown.
Under the new measures, travel restrictions were scrapped and people in Scotland are allowed to travel to other parts of Britain for non-essential reasons. Meanwhile, nail salons, museums and holiday accommodation can also reopen in Scotland.
Unlike England, pubs and restaurants will be able to open indoors until 20:00 BST (1900 GMT), but alcohol will have to be served to customers sitting outside.
Scotland has been in Level Four lockdown, the toughest coronavirus restrictions, since Dec. 26 last year, with all non-essential shops, leisure facilities, and hospitality venues closed.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.
However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.
In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eased, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.
Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centers can all open.
On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.
The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
