The UK’s social distance regulations may need to remain in place throughout 2021 if vaccines for the Chinese coronavirus are not at least 85 percent effective, government scientists have warned.
An article by SPI-M, a subgroup of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group (SAGE) quango, claims that Britain is facing a third wave of coronavirus if vaccinations do not transfer rate significantly reduced.
The report, viewed by The Telegraph, says: “Only vaccines that offer high infection-blocking efficacy with a high uptake in the general population can allow relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions without a large increase in mortality.”
‘While the new vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 provide a possible exit strategy for this outbreak, it is highly dependent on the infection-blocking (or transmission-blocking) action of the vaccine and the uptake of the population, both of which are required . closely monitored as vaccine programs are introduced in the UK and other countries, ”he continued.
According to the best-case scenario outlined by the modellers at the University of Warwick, in which vaccines could stop 85 percent of those who can be vaccinated, the closure measures should remain in place until the end of May – more than a year after the first exclusion was introduced in England.
If vaccines result in a 60 percent drop in transmission, lock-in measures should be replaced with the social distance regime similar to that in force in September, with major events still banned until the end of 2021.
The scientists told government ministers that if Boris Johnson lifted the closure measures in mid-February, the country could see another increase in infections and a similar number of deaths as those seen during the first wave in April 2020. is.
British vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was recently installed, said: ‘We would probably be four weeks away from getting some of the data back, but that would allow us to make plans … we will be able to see the impact of vaccines on transmission and also on hospitalization and serious infection. ”
A leading British health expert has said that grandparents should embrace their grandchildren and families, even after receiving the coronavirus vaccine. https://t.co/GtTRuehnEQ
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) 22 January 2021
A government spokesman said: ‘At this early stage of the vaccination program, scientists do not have enough information to know how the vaccine could affect the transmission.
‘As a large number of people from risk groups are vaccinated, we will be able to gather the evidence to determine the impact on infection rates, hospitalization and reduced deaths. It is important to continue with the national restrictions, instructions from NHS Test and Trace and to isolate yourself if instructed to do so, even if you have had the vaccine. ”
The Boris Johnson government has so far given mixed messages about when closure measures will eventually be lifted, with some projections pointing to late spring or early summer.
Last week, Breitbart London reported that the government had “quietly” extended the closing powers of local councils until July.
In response to the extension of the lock-in power, London mayoral candidate David Kurten said: ‘The Johnson regime has’ quietly ‘changed the law’ again to extend the lock-in powers until 17 July. The unnecessary destruction of our civil liberties and economy will never end before the people end it. I support the Great Reopening. ”
Rona Forever! Government scientist suggests British could wear masks for years https://t.co/QlivD7Okfo
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) 3 December 2020
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