It is “too early to be talking about massive relaxation or freedom”, a World Health Organisation special envoy on Covid-19 has said.
Dr David Nabarro told Radio 4’s Today programme the “pandemic is advancing ferociously around the world” and that we haven’t “got through the worst of it” despite the vaccine rollout.
He said: “Yes, relax, but don’t have these mixed messages about what’s going on. This dangerous virus hasn’t gone away, it’s variants are coming back and are threatening those who have already been vaccinated – we have to take it seriously.”
It comes as the British Medical Association has warned of “potentially devastating consequences” after Boris Johnson confirmed that most mandatory Covid restrictions will end next Monday.
Under current modelling, the peak of the wave is not expected before mid-August, when there could be 1,000 to 2,000 hospital admissions per day, with deaths expected to reach between 100 and 200 per day.
“It’s irresponsible – and frankly perilous – that the Government has decided to press ahead with plans to lift the remaining Covid-19 restrictions on July 19,” Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA council chair, said.
