Sajid Javid doesn't rule our future UK lockdowns
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Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid was welcomed onto BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning by presenters Dan Walker and Louise Minchin. The politician was quizzed about the plans the government have for the country amid the ongoing pandemic ahead of winter. However, when asked about the possibility of future lockdowns, Javid refused to rule them out.
Minchin was keen to know more about the future of the pandemic and how the fast approaching winter could affect the UK.
She asked the politician: “Could you rule out further lockdowns?”
Javid replied: “Look no one wants to see another lockdown. I certainly don’t.
“I don’t think we’re going to have to have another lockdown. I think, as I’ve said, the vaccines are working and other measures.
“But, I think it would be irresponsible for any health minister actually in the world to say that this or that is 100 percent ruled out.
“Not least because I just don’t know whether sometime in the future, you know, next year or the year after or the year after that there might be a vaccine escape variant that doesn’t work with the current vaccine.
“So, you know, I just think we always have to be vigilant,” the politician added.
However, he insisted there have been a lot of positive steps made throughout the pandemic.
Javid said: “We’ve made huge gains in the last few months and we’ve done those together as a country.
“The plan yesterday that we set out is a plan that will help protect those gains.”
This comes after the health secretary told the House of Commons on Tuesday the government may need to reintroduce mandatory face masks and advise the public to work from home.
He was setting out the government’s plans for coping with Covid in England through the autumn and winter.
Javid said in the House of Commons: “Any responsible government must prepare for all eventualities.”
He outlined what he called the government’s “plan B” in the event that the virus surges.
On BBC Breakfast, Minchin quizzed Javid about the government’s “plan B” and when it may come into action.
“Some people are saying perhaps plan B should be now. What is your view?” Minchin asked the politician.
Javid swiftly replied: “My view is that the vaccinations have made all the difference.
“The vaccines are working,” he insisted.
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One.
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