UK Health Secretary: England to be liberated from the shackles of lockdown next Monday
July 13, 2021, 4:02 am

UK Health Secretary: England to be liberated from the shackles of lockdown next Monday

The Express reported that after 17 months of living under draconian Covid rules, England is set to be freed from the grips of the pandemic at the start of next week. The Health Secretary told MPs most legal coronavirus restrictions will be lifted from next Monday as the country continues its return to normality.

Mr Javid announced new guidance on face masks and the introduction of vaccine certificates - dubbed as vaccine passports - for large events.

Stage 4 of the Government's roadmap was originally due to take place on June 21 but was pushed back by four weeks to allow more people to be double vaccinated.

According to the Express, almost two thirds of the adult population (66 percent) of the UK have now had two doses of coronavirus jabs, while 87.1 percent have had at least one injection.

Mr Javid told parliament, "We firmly believe that this is the right time to get our nation closer to normal life, so we will move to the next stage of our roadmap on July the 19th."

He added, wWe have looked closely at the data against these four tests and we firmly believe this is the right time to get our nation closer to normal life.

"So, we will move to the next stage of our roadmap on July 19.

"To those who say why take this step now, I say if not now when?

"There will never be a perfect time to take this step because we simply cannot eradicate this virus - whether we like it or not, coronavirus is not going away."

While face masks will no longer be legally enforceable, ministers are releasing guidance urging the public to continue wearing them in enclosed public spaces.

While Britons will no longer be at risk of being fined for not wearing a mask on a commuter train or in a shop, the heavy expectation will be that they should continue to be worn in some circumstances.

Mr Javid also announced venues such as nightclubs and football stadiums will be encouraged to introduce coronavirus vaccine certification.

Larger venues will be advised by the Government to require customers to show proof of two vaccines, a negative lateral flow test within the past 48 hours, or proof of natural immunity via a positive PCR test within the last six months, to gain entry.

Officials believe the passport system will help limit the spread of infection, while also encouraging younger Brits to get jabbed.

He said: "We're publishing a plan today showing the safe and gradual approach that we'll be taking throughout the summer.

"It includes details of how we'll be encouraging businesses and large events to use certification in high risk settings to limit the risk of spreading infection, how we'll use guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, and details of a review that we'll be conducting in September to assess our preparedness for autumn and winter.

"As we make these changes it is so important people act with caution and with personal responsibly."

The Health Secretary added: "It is expected and recommended that people should wear face coverings unless they are exempt in crowded indoor settings like public transport."

The lifting of restrictions comes despite a surge in the number of cases and hospitalisations.

In the past week, there have been 221,052 new infections registered following a positive Covid test, a 27.3 percent rise in the seven day average.

Over the same period, there has also been a 56.6 percent increase in hospitalisations, with 563 admissions yesterday.

The Health Secretary said despite the increase in infection rate, the successful rollout of the inoculation programme means ministers feel confident about lifting restrictions.

Boris Johnson will hold a televised briefing from Downing Street at 5pm to confirm the changes to the public.

Source: express

Image source: PARLIAMENT.TV-express

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.