New lockdown warning as scientists fear ‘worrying’ vaccine-resistant variant to smash UK
Rayner says removing quarantine travel measures ‘reckless’
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There are fears Boris Johnson’s decision to re-open quarantine free international travel to those from the EU and US who are double jabbed risks the importation of a new strain of the virus. It was announced yesterday that from Monday those arriving from the continent or America could skip isolation.
Millions of extra passengers could now travel to the UK in a boost for the tourism and aviation industries.
The decision was signed off by the Cabinet, as the Government looks to return the country back to normality.
Ministers are confident the success of the UK’s vaccination programme means Britons will be protected against anyone from the EU or the US arriving with coronavirus.
So far 71.1 percent of all UK adults have received the necessary two doses of an injection to provide maximum protection against the virus.
A new University College London (UCL) study also believes 87 percent of the total UK population has Covid antibodies, just six percent off the 93 percent required to reach herd immunity.
But scientists are worried the process made could be undone if a new strain is imported to the UK.
Professor Christina Pagel, director of the clinical operational research unit at UCL, said she was worried about variants that are better at infecting people who are already vaccinated given that those who are fully vaccinated could still catch and pass on the virus.
She said a “worrying new variant could emerge” in the US or Europe.
She warned such a variant “will spread everywhere” if there are no restrictions on travel.
Speaking to the Guardian, the professor added: “We should be taking advantage of the fact that we are an island and having much more control over potential new variants coming in.”
Senior officials are also thought to have warned the Cabinet against agreeing to ease quarantine rules.
Scientists have repeatedly warned a new variant surging in the UK could require some legal restrictions to return.
The Labour Party has blasted the decision to ease quarantine rules, describing it as “reckless”.
They already blame the Prime Minister for letting the now dominant Delta variant – dubbed by Labour as “the Johnson variant” – enter the country earlier this year.
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Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: “The Government’s track record on our borders has been one of recklessness and confusion.
“They are in danger of continuing this by setting out changes in policy, applying to England only, without the scientific data and criteria we need to make sure we don’t see another Johnson variant run rampant through the country and damage the effort of the British public.
“We want to see international travel opened up safely.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday said the UK’s immunisation programme meant the UK “can safely enjoy our freedoms again”.
He said: “Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed.
“By reopening quarantine-free travel for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in European countries and the USA, we’re taking another step on the road to normality which will reunite friends and families and give UK businesses a boost.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government would “of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data”.
“We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward,” he said.
“Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy.”
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