'Too Early to Say’ Whether UK Can End COVID Restrictions on Schedule, Says Health Sec

Breitbart ^ | May 28, 2021 | Victoria Friedman

[CheshireTheCat]

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that it was “too early to say” if the end of COVID-19 restrictions will come on June 21st as scheduled.

Mr Hancock made the remarks amidst the latest government figures revealing that up to three-quarters of new Chinese coronavirus cases are the Indian variant. Another mutant strain has also been found in the UK, first identified in Thailand, the government says.

“It is too early now to say, yet, whether we can take the full step four on June 21. I desperately want us to, but we will only do that if it’s safe.” Mr Hancock said during a press conference on Thursday, according to The Times.

The health secretary added that the government would “make a formal assessment ahead of June 14 as to what steps we can take on the 21st. And we will be driven by the data”.

“This pandemic isn’t over yet,” Hancock warned.

Ambiguity on the government’s position on next month’s full reopening was further compounded by comments from Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who told BBC Breakfast on Friday: “We’ve said that as far as I can see there’s nothing in the data that will delay the date but we’ve said we’re always reviewing the data and we’ll come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on 21 June.”

However, Mr Kwarteng continued: “It is impossible for anyone to know what the situation will be like in a week or two week’s time.”

Adding: “As far as I am concerned we have been looking at the data and we have said repeatedly that we won’t make a final decision about 21st June until the 14th June, a week before the established date....

[CheshireTheCat]

"We need another 15 days to flatten the curve," in other words.

[KC_Lion]

For your interest.

[jmacusa]

I say, I should think another fortnight would do the trick, wot?