A coronavirus expert has voiced his concerns after noticing "large crowds" around Bristol now that lockdown rules have relaxed.
Adam Finn spoke on ITV's Good Morning Britain about the impact of restrictions easing, and warned that even outside there is still a "significant risk" of passing on the virus if people gather closely together.
The University of Bristol professor spoke on the show this morning (Monday, April 19) as part of a panel discussion about funeral restrictions, and whether they should be relaxed given that people can now meet their friends in beer gardens but cannot physically comfort their loved ones in mourning.
Speaking to hosts Adil Ray and Susanna Reid from his home in Bristol, Prof Finn said it was "very moving" to see images of people having to mourn alone at funerals.
He added: "I would contrast that with what I've been experiencing walking around Bristol in the last couple of evenings, where there are very large crowds of people - outside, but crowded together and I think probably [there is] significant risk of transmission of the virus in that situation.
"There is obviously an enhanced risk when you're inside compared to outside, but nevertheless we are in a vulnerable place at the moment with very large numbers of people who've neither had the infection nor vaccination."
Prof Finn, a paediatrics expert who heads Bristol Children's Vaccine Centre, is also lead coordinator at the university's COVID-19 emergency research group UNCOVER.
He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, a group of experts who advise the government on immunisation policy including the coronavirus vaccine roll-out.
Speaking on the programme this morning, Prof Finn added: "I'm very concerned to see a rise in the number of cases as we've been seeing in other European countries recently.
"But I can't argue with the need for human comfort in the context of a funeral of course."
Asked about potentially relaxing restrictions for people who have been vaccinated, he raised concerns about giving people a false sense of security as it could "give the impression that vaccination provides complete protection".
