BORIS Johnson has stressed there’s “nothing to suggest” we have to deviate from the roadmap – but urged Brits to be cautious.
The PM spoke out on a visit to a vaccine centres in East London last night, and tried to sooth fears that June 21’s freedom day is in peril over worried about the India variant.
He said: “at the moment we see nothing conclusive that we have to deviate from the roadmap”.
And he suggested a crunch data meeting in a few days time would tell us all more, urging the nation to hold tight.
He warned the nation to be cautious and vowed: “we’re keeping everything under very close observation – we’ll know a lot more in a few days time.
“We’re looking very carefully at the data, we’re looking at the epidemiology. We’re trying to work out what extent the Indian variant may be more transmissible.”
Hailing Brits’ willingness to get the vaccine, he thanked everyone who had been jabbed so far.
The PM said: “A poll out last night showed that of all the countries in the world we are the most positive about vaccinations.
“The numbers are incredibly high. I know that some people have been more vaccine hesitant than others but actually across the whole of society the numbers continue to go up, in every age group.
“And that’s very very encouraging and I would urge everybody who is eligible get a vaccine, when you get your call up, come and get your jab.”
Last night Government advisers warned that some rules such as masks or social distancing are likely to stay after June, when the PM has previously said he hopes all rules will be able to be ripped up.
But fears over the new Indian variant of Covid, which is spreading much quicker in some communities, is causing ministers to urge extra caution.
The PM last week warned that June 21 could mean some planned rules may have to stay.
No10 has also refused to rule out local lockdowns or a return to the hated tiers system which split England up into several areas with different rules.
It comes as:
- A minister caused more confusion over holidays by saying travel to amber list countries to visit friends is OK – but holidays aren’t
- Fears grew that pubs in Scotland may need to shut as the Indian variant spreads
- Under a proposed new tiers system, some pubs and shops may be shut again
Officials have said they will give at least a week of notice ahead of June 21 before confirming whether the roadmap will be eased further as planned.
But the move leaves Brits in limbo who are trying to plan events after June 21, and the hospitality trade who want all rules to be ripped up so they can host more customers.
