Rishi Sunak maintained that there was no need to implement Plan B to reduce Covid cases. This was after health officials discussed whether tougher measures needed to combat a sudden increase in cases.
The Chancellor maintained that data does not support the idea of bringing back work from home or introducing mandatory Covid passports.
His comments to the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme came after it was reported that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) contacted local authorities on Friday to canvass their level of support for the ‘immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B’.
An ‘official – sensitive’ document seen by the Observer sought opinions from the leaders and chief executives of councils across England to be fed to the Cabinet Office before then end of the day.
Today, Mr Sunak said that the data did not support us moving to Plan B immediately.
A leading Government scientist however stated that’some sort of Plan B’ was required immediately.
Professor Adam Finn is a member of Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation. He stated that Covid-19 hospital admissions and death are on the rise and warned against complacency.
The Chancellor maintained that data does not support bringing back work from home or introducing mandatory Covid passports. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested that the Government introduce its Plan B now to address the rising incidences of coronavirus.
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, however, said that the Government should now introduce Plan B to combat the rising rate of coronavirus.
Ms Reeves was questioned by Marr about Labour’s position on reintroducing restrictions, such as the wearing face coverings and working at home.
She stated that Labour as a responsible opposition has always said that it would follow science. We’ve seen today, Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), are saying that Plan B should include wearing masks in public transport and flexible working hours at home.
“I believe the first thing that the Government must do to make Plan A work is to do more.
“If scientists say work from home and wear masks, then we should do so. If Plan A is not working, or because the vaccine programme has been stalled for too long, then introduce Plan B.
“But there are other things that must be done, such as paying statutory sick leave from day one and better ventilation in public spaces.
She was directly asked if Plan B should now be introduced. However, she stated that Plan A should not be ignored.
Prof Finn warned that vaccines won’t be enough to stop the spread coronavirus. He said that people must make an effort to avoid contact with the virus to slow its spread.
Professor Adam Finn, who is a member of the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation, (JCVI), stated that Covid-19 hospital deaths and admissions are increasing, and warned against complacency in a ‘worsening situation’
On Sky News, he told Trevor Phillips: “I think that vaccine programme is doing much to make the situation less severe than it would otherwise.”
“Vaccines are very effective in stopping people getting seriously ill.
They are not effective at stopping infections or preventing the spread of the virus.
“They have an effect on that, however they are not sufficient at the moment to stop the spread of the virus.
“We need to see people continue to make efforts to avoid contact, transmission, and to do other as well as get vaccinated to stop this rise from continuing.”