The government have launched a new “stay at home” campaign despite the rapid falling virus rates, to help aid Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.
People are being told it is essential to continue wearing face masks or face coverings and maintain social distancing and hand washing to help keep infections under control.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer said as the new campaign was launched, “we must all continue to play our part” in preventing the spread of the virus.
He added that whilst infection rates are falling, the overall numbers of people with the virus still remains “very high.”
“Vaccines give clear hope for the future, but for now we must all continue to play our part in protecting the NHS and saving lives,” he said.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, “I know it’s been a long year but we can’t let up now. Everything we’re doing is bringing us one step closer to beating this virus,” he said.
“So let’s keep going. I encourage everyone to keep playing their part and stay at home – keep washing your hands, wearing a mask and maintaining a social distance which will ensure that, together, we beat this.”
At a No 10 press conference, deputy chief medical officer Dr Jennie Harries has urged parents not to allow children to start to embrace grandparents as soon as they have had their jab.
Dr Harries said, “Having got so far down the line with this now … I would encourage children, even if their grandparents have had their vaccinations not to go hugging them too much until we are absolutely sure what the impact of that vaccine rollout has been.
“I am sure it is going to be positive but we just need to take a steady course out.”
So far more than 18m people have been vaccinated with the first dose which is 34.6% of all adults, and 669,105 have received their second dose, according to the latest government data.
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