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Lockdown Could Be ‘Phased Out’ From March With Return To Tiers

Lockdown Could Be ‘Phased Out’ From March With Return To Tiers

It's also been announced that the government is aiming to give all adults their first dose of the vaccine by September

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said lockdown could be lifted in March, but warned the tiers system will return.

Speaking in an interview with Sky's Sophy Ridge today (17 January), Raab said reopening wouldn't 'happen in one big bang' but will be 'phased out' in different regions.

The government has said in order for lockdown measures to be eased an area's death rate must fall, some of those aged 50 to 70 will have been vaccinated and hospitals admissions must drop.

PA

Raab said: "Of course what we want to do is get out of this national lockdown."

Before adding: "We won't do it all in one big bang.

"We will end up phasing through the tiered approach."

He went on to say that the government plans to give all over 18s their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine by September.

Raab said: "Our target is by September to have offered all the adult population a first dose. If we can do it faster than that, great, but that's the roadmap."

PA

His comments come just hours after a report in the Sunday Telegraph claimed the government was hopeful that all over-18s would be vaccinated by June.

It was reported that the introduction of two new vaccines, from Johnson & Johnson and Moderna, could help speed up the national vaccination efforts.

It was also claimed that the government is confident that within a few months, between four and five million doses could be administered each week.

An unnamed source told the Sunday Telegraph: "All over-18s by June - yes. It is delivery, delivery, delivery."

However, a Department of Health spokesperson failed to confirm the reports. In a statement to the paper they said: "We do not recognise the 'internal target' referenced.

"Our aim is to offer priority groups 1-4 their first jab by February 15.

"Through the UK vaccines delivery plan we are making fantastic progress rolling out jabs as quickly as possible to the most vulnerable."

So far, the government has set itself a target to vaccinate everyone over 70, NHS staff and care home workers by 15 February - and it appears as though the government is on track to hit this.

PA

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed that more than 3.5 million people have had their first dose.

In a tweet, he wrote: "We've given over 3.5 million vaccine doses to protect against COVID-19, with over 324,000 doses yesterday [15 January] alone.

"Thank you to everyone who is helping in this fantastic national effort. Help our NHS by staying at home to save lives."

The UK's vaccination programme began on 8 December last year after Britain was the first country in the world to give approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech inoculation.

While, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been available for use since 4 January.

LADbible has contacted the Department of Health for comment.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus