Contrasting approach to the blockade in France and the United Kingdom despite the joint declaration on COVID cooperation

On Sunday, the United Kingdom and France issued a joint statement on the need for close cooperation on COVID-19, "necessary at their common border".

The statement stated that, contrary to the above indications, the United Kingdom would not apply quarantine measures to travelers from France "at this stage" and that "any measure in one or the other" The other part would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner. "

However, their approaches to easing this week's blockage are very different.

France is reducing its blockade after eight weeks, but many emergency measures still exist and masks are now compulsory in public transport. The country has been divided into red and green zones, with more stringent measures still in effect in the red zones.

Travel certificates are no longer required and trips up to 100 km are now allowed.

Although bars and restaurants remain closed, stores other than supermarkets can now reopen.

Kindergartens and primary schools can also reopen, while in another week, schools for children aged 11 to 15 can restart in green areas. Schools for older children are not expected to reopen until June.

The picture is more complex in the UK; After an announcement Sunday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, starting this Wednesday, people in England who cannot work from home will be encouraged to go to work, but should avoid public transport.

Unlimited outdoor exercises will be allowed in England, with sports such as golf and fishing, as long as they only involve members of the same household.

Johnson said daycares and children up to 11 years old may start going back to school from June 1 at least, and that some non-essential stores may reopen.

The disagreement highlighted the disagreement between the central government of the United Kingdom and regional governments elsewhere; The delegated governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have criticized the movements of the central government. The advice in these other parts of the UK is that people have to stay confined.

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, in particular, has said that infection rates in his country remain too high to facilitate advice on childbirth, even to a modest degree. He also said that the Prime Minister should be clear when he only talks about England, to avoid confusion.