Sajid Javid, today insisting that the Government should not trigger coronavirus plan B at this time, urged citizens to get booster jabs in order to “look forward” to Christmas.

According to the Health Secretary, restrictions are not necessary for the country at this point. 

He said that if Plan B needed further steps, we would take them. As he made clear that the government is not complacent, he added: 

This week, people 40 years and older can book coronavirus booster jabs. 

Ministers have faced fresh questions over whether they will push the button on Plan B after a coronavirus surge across Europe prompted some countries to return to lockdown measures. 

The Netherlands has announced a temporary lockdown for three weeks, while Austria will impose a lockdown for unvaccinated individuals.

As of yesterday morning, another 40,941 Covid cases had been confirmed in the UK. 150 other people died after testing positive for Covid within just 28 days. 

Ministers have faced fresh questions over whether they will push the button on Plan B after a coronavirus surge across Europe prompted some countries to return to lockdown measures

After a surge in coronavirus cases across Europe, some countries have returned to lockdown mode and ministers are now unsure if they will press the button for Plan B

Coronavirus prevention and control is the Government’s plan A. It relies on vaccination and testing in order to stop the spread. 

Plan B would require vaccination passports to attend certain events. In certain circumstances, face masks must be returned.            

Sky News’ Mr Javid asked if anyone should prepare themselves for restrictions returning before Christmas. 

The Health Secretary said: ‘As we all look forward to Christmas, it is very sad to see cases rising, surging, in certain parts of Europe.

‘We have always known that this virus, it loves the winter, it likes the cold, darker days that winter brings and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves against that.

‘What has made a real difference here in the UK is our booster programme, our hugely successful booster programme.

‘Almost 15 million booster jabs given already, covering some quarter of the population over the age of 12, almost 400,000 a day across the UK.

‘That is making the difference and we know that because just this week there was more data published after more studies that shows that the protection you get from your booster… it almost doubles from 50 per cent to over 90 per cent.

‘I will be extending the booster programme starting tomorrow to 40 to 49-year-olds.

‘But we have all got a role to play in this, in our national vaccination programme and if you are eligible, whether it is your first shot, second shot or your third shot, please come forward and let’s look forward to Christmas together.’

Told that it could be time for the Government to trigger Plan B, Mr Javid replied: ‘We made a tough decision back at the start of summer. 

“Other countries did not follow our path and we decided that although we would like to see more openness, it was safer for us to wait until summer to make that happen.

‘Sadly other countries in Europe did not do that. Looking ahead, however, it is important to remember that winter will soon be here. We need to remain vigilant and not become complacent.

‘I have mentioned the importance of the booster programme but in terms of any other potential measures, we have said all along we have got Plan A and that is where we firmly are at the moment.

‘If we needed to take further measures with Plan B then we would do so but we are not at that point.’

From tomorrow, anyone over the age of 40 will be eligible to book their third dose of coronavirus vaccination. For the second vaccination, 16- and 17 year-olds can also book. 

After six months, people who are eligible can receive a booster.

They can book an appointment starting Monday at 7am when the National Booking Service is open for those over 40. 

As of Friday in the UK, more than 14,000,000 boosters and third doses were administered. More than 1 million additional jabs have been recorded since Tuesday. 

Boris Johnson stated last week that he couldn’t rule out a lockdown during the Christmas period. 

While the data didn’t show that extra measures were required, the Prime Minister stated that he couldn’t guarantee the future for weeks and months.  

Mr Johnson told a Downing Street press conference: ‘Clearly we cannot rule anything out and the most important thing people can do to prevent further NPIs from being taken is to – non-pharmaceutical interventions that is, further restrictions – get the boosters.’ 

The PM warned there were ‘storm clouds’ gathering over parts of Europe with a ‘new wave’ of the virus sweeping across the continent. 

He said, “We do not yet know how large this wave will reach our shores. But history has shown that we can’t afford to be complacent.”

According to the study, countries that have lower rates of vaccination have seen greater spikes in infected people and were forced to use harsher responses. Countries with higher rates of vaccination have fared much better.

“It shows that we need to get everyone vaccinated quickly if there is a serious outbreak in the UK.