The lifting of more lockdown restrictions on Monday 17th May must not be viewed as victory in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic according to Central Devon MP Mel Stride. With two households now allowed to meet indoors, groups of 30 allowed to meet outdoors, and businesses such as pubs now allowed to welcome patrons inside, this week marked the biggest step forward yet in the easing of restrictions.
These changes have gone ahead as planned because the vaccine rollout has continued at pace, vaccines are proving to be effective, hospitalisations, deaths and infection rates remain low, and new variants are not yet of sufficient concern. But the majority of people under 40 are not yet vaccinated and the so-called Indian variant is transmitting rapidly in certain areas of the country.
Warning people to stay responsible, Mr Stride, who chairs the influential House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, said:
“The Government is right to be re-opening the economy and to be easing restrictions which many people have found very difficult. But we must remain cautious and not push the boundaries beyond what we are now allowed to do.”