BORIS Johnson will hold a 5pm press conference today – after one of his Cabinet ministers played down hopes of summer holidays this year.
The PM will address the nation alongside top scientific experts later today, and will hail the latest vaccine statistics with nearly 13million people getting their first one so far.
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It comes after HOAR revealed that just one jab is likely to give two thirds protection against coronavirus, vindicating ministers’ decision to give it to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
Boris will likely outline the latest vaccination hubs to open across the nation and promise more news the week after next when he outlines his plan for Britain to get back to normal and open up again.
The PM has said he will reveal all on 22 February, after assessing the data next week.
Ministers are on track to get all the top four cohorts of vulnerable Brits a vaccine appointment by Valentines’ Day, as the rollout continues to run at pace.
Nearly 15million people are either working in the NHS and social care sector, or are over 70.
But some places are speeding ahead and offering it to the clinically vulnerable and those over 50 and 60.
Last week No10 admitted they wanted to get all over 50s vaccinated by May – with aims to be nearly reaching everyone – when they have vowed to push ahead with holding local council elections.
The news came as:
- Ministers will today lay out plans for billions of pounds of fresh support for people trapped in homes covered in dangerous cladding
- Grant Shapps revealed today his Dad was sick in hospital with Covid
- He also warned that travel restrictions may not be lifted for months to come
HOL NO
Hopes for British holidays were dashed today by the Transport Secretary, who couldn’t say whether people would be able to take a break in the summer.
Speaking on Sky News, he explained: “The truth is we just don’t know how the virus will respond to both to the vaccines and of course how people will respond.
“I’m afraid I can’t give you a definitive, will there or will there not be the opportunity to take holidays this next year either at home or abroad.”
He also warned that the vaccine rollout will affect the start date of holidays and he didn’t want to “raise people’s hopes”.
“It is a fact that right now it is illegal to leave your home to go on holiday. At the moment that is off the cards,” he said.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Shapps said travelling abroad would depend on “everybody having their vaccinations” in the UK – and potentially abroad.
When asked if travel restrictions will stay in place until everyone has had a vaccine, he said: “Yes.”
More than 12 million people have had their first vaccine jab in the UK with plans for the entire country to be fully vaccinated by the end of August – meaning summer holidays may be off.
This comes days before England’s borders tighten and quarantine hotels come into force for travellers arriving from ‘red list’ countries.
Brits will be slapped with a fine of up to £10,000 if they escape the hotel quarantine before their isolation period is up.
And people could face JAIL if they lie about their holiday destination.
Matt Hancock made the stern announcement yesterday to ensure international arrivals stick to the rules as the Government attempts to prevent mutant strains of Covid entering the UK.
