BRITS must not “squander the gains” made against coronavirus as lockdown eases tomorrow, the boss of the NHS has warned.
Stephen Powis, the national medical director of the NHS, hailed the public for making “enormous progress” against the virus – but said it “does not mean job done”.
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It comes ahead of the easing of lockdown tomorrow, with up to six people or two households allowed to meet up outdoors.
The ‘stay at home’ message will be axed following a sustained fall in Covid infections and fatalities.
But writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Prof Powis said the virus could still “wreak more havoc and ill-health on a significant scale”.
He wrote: “One of the greatest threats we face is complacency.
“This virus still has the capacity to wreak more havoc and ill health on a significant scale.
“Families, businesses and the health service all want the pressure, risk and life-limits of Covid-19 to be over as soon as possible.”
He added: “We’ve made enormous progress that we need to build on and not squander the gains we’ve made.
“We need to hold our nerve and drive for the line, so everyone can get back safely and soon to our normal lives.”
Prof Powis’ warning comes as Boris Johnson yesterday said lockdown easing would go ahead on schedule and vowed to be back down the pub “in a few days’ time”.
An upbeat Prime Minister said he can’t wait to go to the barbers when hairdressers reopen and sip his first pint in his local on April 12.
From tomorrow, Brits can even visit family members a couple of hours drive away or visit a park in another part of the country and not be fined.
Ministers have raised concern over a third wave of the virus sweeping Europe, which is also struggling with the vaccine rollout.
Despite the success of Britain’s jab programme, health experts have warned that easing restrictions on international travel could allow new Covid variants to enter the UK.
Senior Government figures have warned that foreign trips may have to wait until August at the earliest.
A source told The Times: “August is looking like the most likely moment.”
According to the Government’s road map out of the Covid lockdown, the earliest people could take holidays overseas will be May 17.
