One Of First Brits Out Of Wuhan Would Rather Go Back To China Than Stay In England

Matt Raw, 40, and his wife Ying, 40, both majorly regret their decision to leave after they were evacuated from the Covid-19 epicentre in January 2020.

However, Matt is more interested in going back to Wuhan, where a 'zero-Covid' policy is still being followed.

"Scrapping the free tests and isolation requirements is a huge decision because there are still loads of vulnerable people here who could do without catching the virus.

"Once people have to pay for a test, they're just not going to - especially those who have more of a selfish outlook on Covid.

"At the moment the majority of people are on board with isolating if they test positive, but giving people that choice I think is dangerous.

"The game plan seems to be centred around gaining that herd immunity we've spoken about for so long now, which is a huge gamble. 

"It is a valid strategy, but whether now is the right time to be implementing remains to be seen."

Along with Ying, his mother Hazel, 78, who suffers with severe dementia, were among the 83 Britons instructed to leave China in the early stages of the pandemic.

They were hauled out when Wuhan, where the first known Covid infections were found, went into lockdown more than two years ago.

The flight to RAF Brize Norton was meant to bring British citizens and their families to safety, but, two years on, Matt say's life isn't what he expected.

He said: "We were living in Wuhan having been placed under a strict lockdown by the Chinese government when we were told to get out.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office were on the phone, insisting we were to get on this plane back to Britain.

"We weren't unhappy in Wuhan, and when we spoke to staff on the phone it felt like we knew more about the virus than they did.

"Nevertheless, we followed their advice and got on the plane home."

After returning to his home in Knutsford, Cheshire, Matt added: "It was bizarre coming from a lockdown in Wuhan to the UK where everyone was still going about their usual lives."