A POTENTIAL Covid outbreak at tonight’s England vs Denmark Euros match is a “manageable risk”, a Cabinet Minister has admitted.
Business Sec Kwasi Kwarteng conceded there was a chance that Wembley’s semi-final clash could spiral into a super-spreader event – but was confident about “handling the situation”.
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More than 60,000 fans will fill the stadium to three-quarters capacity this evening to watch the Three Lions take on Denmark.
Amid concerns the crowds could drive up cases, Mr Kwarteng this morning told LBC: “I think we can manage this risk but to say there is no risk, if you have thousands of people in one place. There’s always risk in life.
“I think we’re managing the risk. I’m confident there won’t be a big outbreak but we can’t guarantee that now.”
He added on Times Radio it would be “irresponsible of me not to be concerned” but was bullish about “handling the situation”.
Another 28,773 cases were reported yesterday in the highest daily increase since the end of January.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned infection rates could sky-rocket to as many as 100,000 this summer.
But ministers are confident the surge will meet a “wall of vaccinations” preventing hospitalisations and deaths.
Mr Kwarteng said he was confident the majority of lockdown measures could be axed on July 19 and the UK is “winning the battle against Covid”.
But he said: “We’re looking at the data all the time. So if there would be a flare up or a crisis then we’re looking at data and looking at measures that we’d have to bring in.
“We’re always looking after the most vulnerable always looking out to people who are exposed.”
However he added that there was “no appetite” for more lockdowns and ministers were committed to a return to normality.
