Sajid Javid pressing on with lifting all lockdown rules - but admits cases will surge

Sajid Javid has said it is in the interest for the health and economy of the UK to end restrictions despite rising cases and warned that the country needs to “learn to live with Covid”..

The new health secretary said that the “health arguments are equally compelling” for an end to Covid restrictions which the government is expected to announce on July 19.

Javid has highlighted the people's freedoms as he comes across differently to his predecessor Matt Hancock who seemed more cautious about removing restrictions.

He has also highlighted the need to live with Covid and that rising infections cannot be a reason against removing restrictions.

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Javid said that it is the interests of people's health as well as the economy to open up (AFP via Getty Images)

On his new role he told the Mail on Sunday the task was to “restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19” while he pointed out that removing restrictions would lead to a country that was “not just freer but healthier”.

He also said his job was now to tackle the NHS backlog for treatment caused by the pandemic and that an estimated seven million people didn't approach doctors over the period due to it.

Javid said that the lockdown had been necessary to saves lives but also highlighted the negative impact on mental health and the cases of domestic violence.

He told the Mail: "We are on track for July 19 and we have to be honest with people about the fact that we cannot eliminate Covid.

"We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly... But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view."

New figures show that 85.7 percent of adults now have had their first jab and 63.4 percent have had two doses (REUTERS)

Boris Johnson is set to announce the removal of restrictions for July 19 and this week and go into the precise details of how it will be brought about.

It is expected that facemasks will no longer be mandatory for indoor locations like shops while table service won’t be obligatory for bars and restaurants.

Self isolation has been a serious concern for businesses and schools with people missing valuable time through quarantining. New rules are likely to mean anyone with two vaccine doses will not have to self-isolate or take a Covid test if they have been near someone with the virus.

It is also reported that the prime minister will reveal a plan so that people who have been fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine when they return from amber-listed European countries.

It comes with 85.7 percent of adults now having had their jab and 63.4 percent having had two doses, according to latest figures.