‘We are jab by jab on a path to reclaiming our freedom’: Sombre Boris Johnson marks exactly a year since he plunged England into lockdown – as PM and chief scientists admit ‘we wish we had known then what we know now’
- Boris Johnson held No10 press conference on the anniversary of first lockdown
- PM said the UK is moving ‘jab by jab’ towards ‘freedom’ in optimistic message
- The PM, Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance said wished had known more earlier
Boris Johnson tonight insisted the UK is moving ‘step by step, jab by jab’ towards ‘reclaiming our freedoms’ as he marked the anniversary of the first lockdown.
At a Downing Street briefing, the PM tried to strike an optimistic note about the prospects for getting back to normal – despite paying tribute to those who have lost their lives.
He tried to reassure the public and restive Tory MPs that the ‘roadmap’ dates for easing restrictions are still on track, even though anxiety has been rising about vaccine supplies amid delays and a spat with the EU.
Mr Johnson, flanked by medical and science chiefs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, also expressed humility about what he would have done differently if he could repeat the last 12 months.
The premier suggested that if the government had been aware the extent to which Covid could be transmitted asymptomatically it would have taken another approach.
Meanwhile, Prof Whitty delivered a stark message that the disease was probably going to be with the human race forever, as the chances of eradicating it were near ‘zero’.
The comments came as the Covid Recovery Group of lockdown-sceptic Conservatives issued a fresh call this evening for the timetable to be accelerated.
Deputy chair and former minister Steve Baker said the premier needed to admit that people would not be free over Easter even if the jabs targets are met.
At a Downing Street briefing, the PM tried to strike an optimistic note about the prospects for getting back to normal – despite paying tribute to those who have lost their lives
Slides presented at the Downing Street briefing tonight showed the improvement in the UK’s coronavirus situation
Coronavirus cases are surging again in some parts of Europe, which could make ministers hesitant to reopen Britain’s borders this summer
Addressing the nation a year after he plunged it into lockdown for the first time, Mr Johnson said: ‘It’s thanks to all of you therefore that we can continue on our road map to freedom.
‘We will meet our targets, offering a first dose to everyone over 50 by the middle of next month, as well as those under 50 who are clinically vulnerable, and offering a first dose of a vaccine to every adult by the end of July.
‘And cautiously but irreversibly, step by step, jab by jab, this country is on the path to reclaiming our freedoms.’
Professor Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, warned today that there will be ‘bumps along the road’ as the UK lifts social distancing rules and slowly returns to normality in the coming months.
His comments echoed that of fellow SAGE experts, who say a third coronavirus wave is inevitable and that allowing holidays to Europe this summer could lead to another lockdown.
Infections are surging in Europe now, which Boris Johnson said has always led to an increase in Britain, too, and vaccine shortages will hit the UK in April.
But despite this, no changes have been made to No10’s lockdown-easing plans that could see social distancing laws lifted once and for all on June 21.
Mr Johnson has said the UK will have to accept the risk of a huge spike in infections, and likely hospital admissions and deaths, whenever the lockdown is lifted – but the only other option was to live with lockdown rules indefinitely.
Vaccines should soften the blow of the next major surge but other countries haven’t made as much progress, with the EU’s roll-out described as shambolic.
‘Professor Lockdown’ Neil Ferguson today urged Brits to stick to staycations and not go abroad until every adult has had a vaccine, calling for borders to stay shut over summer to keep out troublesome Covid variants.
One of Professor Ferguson’s SAGE colleagues, Professor Kamlesh Khunti, gave the same warning earlier in the day and said allowing people to travel abroad could lead to yet another total lockdown in the UK if the virus spread out of control again.
Summer holiday hopes were dealt another blow today as British Airways and easyJet cancelled more flights planned as far ahead as August. Downing St also announced it will fine people £5,000 for going on holiday when it isn’t allowed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson – pictured observing a minute’s silence today to mark a year since the first lockdown began – insists the third wave of Covid in Europe has not yet affected the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown