The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was in front of the Commons on Monday to give a statement about the approach to the new Covid-19 variant, that has recently been identified in a number of southern African countries.
Mr Javid confirmed the measures that the UK Government plan on implementing, including a return to compulsory mask wearing in shops and on public transport, a relapse of self-isolation rules for all and an expansion of the booster programme.
Winchester’s MP welcomed the expansion of the booster programme and took the time to raise his campaign for walk-in access in Winchester again, after raising it with the Secretary of State on 15th November.
Steve Brine went on to quiz Mr Javid on the impacts of the Government’s measures, saying; “Now the measures that we'll be asked to approve tomorrow night will likely appear rather small in and of themselves, but he knows the wider impact of the past few days is absolutely huge.
We've got nativity plays cancelled, or moved online, these are moments that we just don't get back. Community events being cancelled, "just in case".”
Sajid Javid responded to Mr Brine’s concerns saying; “He’s right to talk about the impact of these measures, although as I said I believe they are right and proportionate and balanced.
We must never forget the impact they have on individuals and their daily lives and that is why they must be removed the moment it is safe to remove them.”
Finally, the MP for Winchester took to the moment to ask when data on the new coronavirus variant will be known, with the Secretary of State explaining that the three-week review point, for all new measures, is when information on how the vaccine reacts to the variant will be fully available.
More Information:
