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Covid-19: Government 'open' to delaying 21 June England lockdown end date Covid-19: Government 'open' to delaying 21 June England lockdown end date
(about 1 hour later)
Matt Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr he was "absolutely open" to delaying the lockdown in EnglandMatt Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr he was "absolutely open" to delaying the lockdown in England
The government is "absolutely open" to delaying the final lifting of England's Covid lockdown on 21 June if necessary, the health secretary has said.The government is "absolutely open" to delaying the final lifting of England's Covid lockdown on 21 June if necessary, the health secretary has said.
Matt Hancock insisted 21 June was a "not before" date to end restrictions and No 10 "would look at the data".Matt Hancock insisted 21 June was a "not before" date to end restrictions and No 10 "would look at the data".
He said the Delta variant first seen in India was about 40% more transmissible than the Alpha (Kent) strain.He said the Delta variant first seen in India was about 40% more transmissible than the Alpha (Kent) strain.
But he added that hospitalisations were "broadly flat" which meant Covid vaccines were working.But he added that hospitalisations were "broadly flat" which meant Covid vaccines were working.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the health secretary said the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant made the decision on lifting lockdown "more challenging".Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the health secretary said the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant made the decision on lifting lockdown "more challenging".
The final stage of lifting restrictions would see all legal limits on social contact removed. Nightclubs would reopen, and restrictions on performances, weddings and other life events would also be lifted.The final stage of lifting restrictions would see all legal limits on social contact removed. Nightclubs would reopen, and restrictions on performances, weddings and other life events would also be lifted.
But concerns about the spread of the Delta variant, now dominant in the UK, have led some scientists to call for a delay to ending lockdown.But concerns about the spread of the Delta variant, now dominant in the UK, have led some scientists to call for a delay to ending lockdown.
Another 5,341 infections were recorded on Sunday, and another 4 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test, according to official figures.Another 5,341 infections were recorded on Sunday, and another 4 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test, according to official figures.
Pupils urged to take Covid tests after half-termPupils urged to take Covid tests after half-term
PM to push for world vaccination by end of 2022PM to push for world vaccination by end of 2022
No big rise in variant hospital numbers - NHS bossNo big rise in variant hospital numbers - NHS boss
Asked whether the ending of lockdown on 21 June could be delayed if the data on the Delta variant appeared "bad," Mr Hancock said the government was "absolutely open to doing that if that's what needs to happen" and that its "roadmap was set up to take these changes into account". Asked whether lockdown easing could be delayed if the data on the Delta variant appeared "bad," Mr Hancock said the government was "absolutely open to doing that if that's what needs to happen" and that its "roadmap was set up to take these changes into account".
Mr Hancock added that while new infections have "risen a little", the "good news" was that the number of people admitted to hospital with the Delta variant was "broadly flat". Mr Hancock added that while new infections have "risen a little", the number of people admitted to hospital with the Delta variant was "broadly flat".
He said the majority of patients in hospital appeared to be those who have not had a vaccine, with "only a very small minority" of patients fully vaccinated. Those who had been double vaccinated appeared to be less seriously ill, he said.
This showed vaccines were working, he said, and that the link between infection and hospitalisation had been "severed but not broken".
On Saturday, Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, said the number of people in hospital with the Delta variant was rising but not "very significantly".On Saturday, Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, said the number of people in hospital with the Delta variant was rising but not "very significantly".
Mr Hancock said the majority of patients in hospital appeared to be those who have not had a vaccine and "only a very small minority" of patients were fully vaccinated. Mr Hancock urged people to get their second jab, saying: "The best scientific advice I have at this stage, is that after one jab it's not quite as effective against the new Delta variant, but after both jabs it is."
"And critically, those who are double vaccinated also appear to be - even if they're in hospital - appear to be less seriously ill," he added. A final decision on whether to ease England's lockdown further will be made on 14 June.
This, he said, showed vaccines were "working" and that the link between infection and hospitalisation had been "severed but not broken". Asked whether some measures, such as the wearing face coverings and working from home, might stay beyond June, Mr Hancock said: "I wouldn't rule that out."
He added: "The best scientific advice I have at this stage, is that after one jab it's not quite as effective against the new Delta variant, but after both jabs it is. Reviews into social distancing measures and domestic vaccination passports were ongoing, he added.
"So that's why it's so important that we drive through these vaccinations and people come forward for their second jab."
Ministers will "look at the data for another week then make a judgement" on if the lifting of restrictions could proceed as planned, he added.
The government's scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage) had previously said there was a "realistic possibility" the Delta variant could spread 50% faster.The government's scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage) had previously said there was a "realistic possibility" the Delta variant could spread 50% faster.
The Sage documents estimated that if the variant were to be 40-50% more transmissible it "would lead to a substantial resurgence of hospitalisations" and put pressure on the NHS. It estimated that if the variant were to be 40-50% more transmissible it "would lead to a substantial resurgence of hospitalisations" and put pressure on the NHS.
Asked whether some measures, such as the wearing of face coverings and working from home, might need to remain in place, Mr Hancock said: "I wouldn't rule that out.
"The way we are looking at this is step four [of the roadmap] involves the removing of the remaining social restrictions like the rule of six and some of the business closures which are still there."
Mr Hancock also said reviews into social distancing measures and domestic vaccination passports were ongoing.
In other developments:In other developments:
Former prime minister Tony Blair called for people who have had both Covid jabs to get extra freedoms, including the right to travel abroad more easily. This would encourage more vaccinations, he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show Former prime minister Tony Blair called for fully vaccinated people to get extra freedoms, including the right to travel abroad more easily. This would encourage more vaccinations, he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show
People under the age of 30 in England will be invited to have a coronavirus vaccine this week, the health secretary saidPeople under the age of 30 in England will be invited to have a coronavirus vaccine this week, the health secretary said
Mr Hancock urged secondary school pupils in England to take a Covid test before they return to school after the half-term breakMr Hancock urged secondary school pupils in England to take a Covid test before they return to school after the half-term break
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will urge leaders of other wealthy countries to commit to vaccinating the world against Covid by the end of next year at a summit of the G7 group on Friday Boris Johnson will urge leaders of other wealthy countries to commit to vaccinating the world against Covid by the end of next year at a summit of the G7 group on Friday
Charities have criticised the UK government's cuts to foreign aid spending, saying they have caused "devastation" that could undermine the UK's credibility at the G7 summitCharities have criticised the UK government's cuts to foreign aid spending, saying they have caused "devastation" that could undermine the UK's credibility at the G7 summit
Blair: "If you are vaccinated it should be much easier"Blair: "If you are vaccinated it should be much easier"
But Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the lifting restrictions on 21 June was "looking very difficult" based on rising infection rates in the north-west of England, particularly among young people, and that vaccines needed to be rolled out "much more quickly". Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the lifting restrictions on 21 June was "looking very difficult", given rising infection rates in the north-west of England, particularly among young people, and that vaccines needed to be rolled out "much more quickly".
Ms Nandy also criticised the government's traffic light system for foreign travel, saying that the amber category should be "scrapped".Ms Nandy also criticised the government's traffic light system for foreign travel, saying that the amber category should be "scrapped".
"We think it's pointless. We think it's confusing and that confusion is actually dangerous at the moment - it risks unravelling all of the progress that we've made.""We think it's pointless. We think it's confusing and that confusion is actually dangerous at the moment - it risks unravelling all of the progress that we've made."
Meanwhile, the health secretary said inviting the under-30s for a vaccine would bring the government "a step closer" to its target of offering all adults a vaccine by the end of July.Meanwhile, the health secretary said inviting the under-30s for a vaccine would bring the government "a step closer" to its target of offering all adults a vaccine by the end of July.
He added that he expected "around three-fifths" of all adults to have been fully-vaccinated by 21 June, with 52% currently double-jabbed.He added that he expected "around three-fifths" of all adults to have been fully-vaccinated by 21 June, with 52% currently double-jabbed.
Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy: "The amber list is pointless and confusing"Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy: "The amber list is pointless and confusing"
Asked if he thought the UK should be vaccinating children, Mr Hancock did not commit to saying he believed it should happen, stressing that the government would follow the "clinical advice".Asked if he thought the UK should be vaccinating children, Mr Hancock did not commit to saying he believed it should happen, stressing that the government would follow the "clinical advice".
Reducing onward transmission of the virus to adults and protecting education were advantages of vaccinating children, he said.Reducing onward transmission of the virus to adults and protecting education were advantages of vaccinating children, he said.
This week, the UK's medicines watchdog approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12 to 15.This week, the UK's medicines watchdog approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12 to 15.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will advise the government on whether this age group should be vaccinated as part of the UK rollout.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will advise the government on whether this age group should be vaccinated as part of the UK rollout.
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