England’s local elections will go ahead in May, the UK government announced on Friday, but with extra precautions to guard against the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Proxy voting rules have been relaxed to allow people needing to shield or self-isolate at the last minute to cast their ballot. Polling stations will echo supermarkets with plastic screens, social distance-markers, and plenty of hand-sanitiser. The usual stubby pencils will be available—but people are advised to bring their own, or a pen. Voters will need to wear a mask, in accordance with current legislation. Previously the government had said that the May 6 elections were under review due to uncertainty about lockdown curbs. Last year, the local elections in May were postponed and put under review as the nation faced the first wave of the pandemic earlier in the spring. “In the year that has intervened, Returning Officers, the government …