The Prime Minister will tomorrow publish a Covid Winter Plan,
setting out the next phase of the government’s Covid
response.
On Monday, he will confirm national restrictions will end on 2
December and set out how England will move back into a
three-tiered, regional set of restrictions.
Whilst some local measures will be similar to those in place
previously, the tiers will also be strengthened in some areas in
order to safeguard the gains made during the period of national
restrictions.
It is expected that more areas will be placed into the higher
tiers in order to keep the virus under control, and ensure
further national restrictions are not required.
However, whilst these measures will be difficult, the Prime
Minister will be clear that these restrictions will not last any
longer than absolutely necessary and will take into account the
need to protect livelihoods and support the economy.
The tiers will be reviewed on a regular basis, in line with the
latest data and trends and there will be a legal obligation to
keep measures under ongoing review.
Recent positive developments on vaccines and mass testing provide
real confidence that the reliance on economic and social
restrictions to control the virus can be gradually reduced in the
run up to Spring.
Provided vaccines are approved by regulators, the first
injections can be made next month before being rolled out more
widely in the new year. Progress in mass testing is expected to
help provide a way to suppress the virus and relax
restrictions.
The plan is set to be discussed and signed off by Cabinet on
Sunday, and announced by the Prime Minister in parliament on
Monday.
It will also set out how people will be able to see their loved
ones at Christmas, despite ministers being clear this will not be
a normal festive period.
SAGE are likely to publish further papers on Monday, setting out
the scientific advice that the previous tiers were not strong
enough, and that a tougher regional approach is required.
On Thursday, ministers will announce which areas will be placed
into which tier, which will be based on the latest data and
impact of national restrictions. MPs will be able to vote on the
tiering system before it comes into force.
A No10 spokesperson said:
“Everyone’s efforts during the current national
restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control,
slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS.
“But the Prime Minister and his scientific advisors are clear the
virus is still present - and without regional restrictions it
could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass
testing have had an effect.
“That would put in jeopardy the progress the country has made,
and once again risk intolerable pressure on the NHS.”
The Covid Winter Plan will also set out how scientific advances
in vaccination, treatments and testing will help enable life to
gradually return closer to normal.
Next month, the vaccination programme will begin - provided
regulators approve the vaccines – and increases in mass testing
will allow us to identify and isolate people who don’t have
symptoms.
It is the Prime Minister’s hope and belief that progress in mass
testing can – if everyone continues to pull together – provide a
way to suppress the virus and relax restrictions until a vaccine
becomes available.
