HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid has said the Government will “proceed with caution” despite announcing a bonfire of restrictions to begin on July 19.

Speaking in the Commons, Javid, who has been in the role for a little over a week, said: “I understand that some people are cautious about their idea of easing restrictions, but we must balance the risks – the risks of a virus that has diminished but not defeated, against the risks of keeping these restrictions and the health, social and economic hardship that we know they bring.

“This pandemic is far from over and we will continue to proceed with caution.

“But we’re increasingly confident that our plan is working and that we can soon begin a new chapter based on the foundations of personal responsibility and common sense rather than the blunt instrument of rules and regulations.”

Javid announced a series of new rules on self-isolation:

  • From August 16 people in England who have had both coronavirus vaccines will no longer need to self-isolate. If a person has had their second dose just before or just after August 16, this rule will only be applicable from a few weeks after when their vaccination has taken effect. Close contacts will be advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible, and anyone who tests positive will have to self-isolate as normal.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate and will instead be given advice on whether they need to be tested, dependant on their age. They will only have to self-isolate if they test positive. This rule comes into force from August 16.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth asked what lifting restrictions would mean for those already waiting for treatment on the NHS.

He said: “Now he has justified allowing infections to climb by pointing to the weakened link between hospitalisations and deaths and that we are building a protective wall. But of course, the wall is only half-built and we know from outbreaks in Israel and research that the Delta variant can be transmitted through fully vaccinated people even if they don’t get it.”

He added: “Now, I understand the rationale for his announcement today, but I’ve got to tell him again that the biggest barrier to an effective isolation policy hasn’t been the inconvenience but the lack of financial incentive to stay at home. And if we are going to live with this virus the days of people soldiering on when unwell are over, sick pay is vital to infection control, would he (Javid) please now fix it?”

Ashworth also raised concerns from immunocompromised people about removing the requirement to wear masks.

“It’s not good enough to simply say ‘travel or go to the shops at a less busy time’,” he said.

But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the UK Government has “struck the right balance” in lifting Covid-19 restrictions.