Scarborough and Whitby MP optimistic of some normality around Easter
The MP for Scarborough and Whitby has set out what he wants to see in the roadmap to coming out of lockdown.
The MP for Scarborough and Whitby has set out what he wants to see in the roadmap to coming out of lockdown.
It is as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to lay out today a timeline for the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Robert Goodwill said:
"I think the relaxation will be incremental. We saw with the tiering system before different parts of the country could relax the rules in different ways, and it remains to be seen whether we come out of this lockdown in a tiered way or whether the whole country comes out together.
"The key difference this time round is that we have the vaccination being rolled out so effectively that virtually every person over 70 has been vaccinated, and many surgeries and hubs where vaccinations are taking place are now vaccinating 65 to 70 year-olds.
"When we complete the vaccination of all the vulnerable groups, all the people over 50 and those under 50 who may have a medical condition that makes them more susceptible to the disease, then we will see well over 90% of people protected by the vaccine.
"I think we need to see how this develops. There's always a threat of new variants but I'm still optimistic that we will see some return to normality incrementally starting around Easter, and let's hope that enables pubs and hospitality to re-open maybe with social distancing."