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Matt Hancock to make Covid statement in Commons day after he said he was ‘open’ to delaying June 21
MATT Hancock will make a Covid statement in the Commons today - the day after he said ministers were "absolutely open" to delaying June 21's unlocking.
The Health Secretary will update MPs on the latest in the fight against the virus around 3.30pm.
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A decision is due before June 14 on whether Covid restrictions will be lifted on June 21 amid reports it could be delayed to July 5 in an effort to make sure all those aged over 50 receive a second vaccine.
Boris Johnson will examine the Covid stats this week to decide over lifting restrictions on June 21.
The Government is set to announce whether it will delay Freedom Day or push ahead with the full unlocking on June 14.
Face masks, social distancing and working from home is looking less and less likely to be removed as planned in the roadmap.
And bi-weekly Covid tests for school pupils is set to continue after the school holidays.
Yesterday the Health Secretary said it was "too early" to determine whether the Government would lift all coronavirus restrictions later this month.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr he warned the Government is “absolutely open” to delaying 21 June and “the roadmap was set up in order to take these sort of changes into account”.
But the prospect of the date being moved back has been met with anger by Tory MPs, who warned any delay could cost jobs and more harm to people's mental and physical health.
It comes as:
- The Indian Covid strain is 40 per cent more transmissible than other Covid variants, Matt Hancock has warned
- A maritime loophole allowed 600 cruise ship workers from India to fly here and avoid compulsory hotel quarantine
- Boris will examine the Covid stats this week to decide over lifting restrictions on June 21
- Brits in their 20s will get their Covid jabs this week
- Twelve-year-olds are set to get the Covid vaccine from August under plans to tackle the Indian variant surge
Senior backbencher John Redwood told The Sun: "They should stick to the plan. Deaths and serious case numbers are well down.
"The vaccines are working. It's time to do more to rescue livelihoods."
Sir Desmond Swayne accused ministers of “wasting the advantages afforded by the success of vaccinations”.
“The original mission statement was to save lives by protecting the NHS. We've done that. The more it moves the goalposts, the more people will be made redundant.”
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