Health secretary Sajid Javid has warned that coronavirus restrictions could return in England in the run-up to Christmas, as UK infections hit almost 50,000 in a single day - the highest since July.
Mr Javid rejected calls from NHS bosses for the government to immediately trigger its “plan B” for Covid-19 - involving mandatory masks, vaccine passports for crowded venues and guidance to work from home - insisting that pressures on the health service are not yet “unsustainable”.
But he called for a return to the “Blitz spirit” of the early days of the pandemic, warning Britons that unless they "do their bit" by taking up the offer of vaccines and booster jabs they could lose the freedoms they have enjoyed since the lifting of lockdown in July.
He also took a swipe at Conservative MPs who fail to wear masks in the House of Commons chamber, saying that they should be setting an example to everyone by following current guidelines.
Warning that daily infections could rise to 100,000 or more, Mr Javid said: “Am I saying that if we don't do our bit ... that we are more likely to face restrictions as we head into winter? I am saying that.
“We've been really clear that we all have a role to play. If not enough people get that booster jab, if not enough people who are eligible for that original offer of a vaccine don't come forward, if people don't wear masks when they really should ... [or] it's going to hit us.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 21, 2021 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 21, 2021 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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