The UK press has been filled with stories that people will finally be able to hug each other as Covid restrictions begin to relax.
But here’s the catch., there has never been a ‘hugging ban’. This is just the latest example of how confusion over what has been against the law throughout the pandemic.
Director of Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo said: “Throughout the pandemic the government has often blurred the lines, sometimes deliberately, between the law and merely its wishes, causing real damage to democracy and the rule of law.
“It’s quite disturbing to see this seem to manifest in huge volumes of favourable media coverage on government lifting a hugging ban that literally doesn’t exist. It would be extremely absurd if it did exist.”
The Guardian – End of England’s hug ‘ban’ highlights confusion over law and guidance
BBC News – Covid-19: Complaints after England booking site reveals vaccine status
Telegraph – NHS website glitch enables people to check Covid vaccination status of others