Vaccines minister ‘confident’ lockdown WON’T return in Autumn after scientists warned rules needed by September

NADHIM Zahawi has said he is “confident” that lockdown WON’T return in Autumn after scientists warned that restrictions could be reimposed as soon as September. 

The vaccines minister stressed the government was “doing the right thing” by lifting all Covid measures today - despite grim predictions over the weekend of 100,000 daily cases later this summer. 

Almost all Covid restrictions have ended today as part of 'Freedom Day', with mask mandates scrapped, social distancing guidelines shelved and large-scale events back on.

Asked if he was confident that restrictions wouldn’t return later this year, Zahawi said: “I think we are.

“I certainly don’t want to see restrictions returning”. 

It follows warnings from scientific advisers and former cabinet ministers that the country could see a spike in hospitalisations as cases surge. 

Former health minister Jeremy Hunt on Saturday claimed that restrictions would have to be reimposed if daily hospital admission exceed the peak of the first wave.  

'STEP FORWARD'

But Zahawi stressed that now was the right time to unlock - though Brits should remain “vigilant” and “careful” as they enjoy their new freedoms. 

He added: “It is a step forward, an important step forward - there is no perfect time to take this step, this is as good a time as any as (Professor) Chris Whitty has said, with the summer holidays and schools being out, which will hopefully bear down on the R number, the transition rate.

"So, I'm confident that we are doing the right thing.

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"I think the vaccination programme has allowed us to take this step, to take it cautiously with this wall of protection among adults in the United Kingdom."

Over 46 million Brits have now received their first dose of the vaccine, with 35 million fully protected against the disease - providing a wall of protection against the third wave.

But ministers are continuing to stress the importance of voluntary compliance with Covid rules to keep transmission down.

Brits are encouraged to wear masks in crowded spaces and return to the office gradually - while hospitality venues could ask for vaccine passports upon entry.

LOCKDOWN WARNING

It comes after Professor Neil Ferguson - dubbed ‘Professor Lockdown’ - yesterday warned that Britain faces the prospect of further lockdowns this Winter. 

Appearing by the BBC's Andrew Marr Show if there was a likelihood of a return to restrictions, Prof Ferguson stressed it would be a decision for the government to make. 

He said: “Clearly, if we end up in a more, let's say, worst-case scenario ... at the higher end of the modelling and the projections of two, three thousand hospital admissions per day, there may be a need to basically slow the spread to some extent.”

Asked if there could be a lockdown again before Christmas, he replied: "You're asking me about six months ahead, that's harder."

He added: "I hope not, but I can't be certain."

The third wave is expected to peak in August with a cabinet minister today warning of "challenging weeks ahead".

Robert Jenrick called on Brits to exercise "good judgment" as restrictions are lifted, and admitted the country was at a "critical stage".

Despite spiralling Covid cases, the PM yesterday defended his decision to relax nearly all the rules but advised: “Please, please be cautious."

He added: “We have got to remember that this virus is sadly still out there.

I don't think there will ever come a time when we say 'that's it, job done'

Nadhim Zahawi

“Go into the next step with all the right prudence and respect for other people and the risks that the disease continues to present.”

Zahawi also today denied reports that the government was aiming for herd immunity by September so that cases fall. 

He said: “No, because I tell you for why - not only are we vaccinating at scale in this phase of the programme, but I'm already making plans for booster campaign beginning early Sept to boost immunity of most vulnerable, and also making plans from next year to have an annual Covid vaccination programme. 

"We are going to have to live with this virus as we transition from pandemic to endemic status. 

“I don't think there will ever come a time when we say 'that's it, job done'. 

"This virus is a highly infectious, aerosol transmitted respiratory disease and the right thing is to transition it from pandemic to endemic in the UK, and then the rest of the world."