UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said tougher border measures and better contact tracking suggest the spread of coronavirus variants from Brazil and South Africa is prohibited.
Hancock said plans to reduce the third national lockdown in England, which will be published on Monday, will need to allow time for data analysis, as the government is still concerned that variants may impede the vaccine’s progress in the country Huh.
However, he said the first signs are encouraging.
“There is evidence that the measures we are taking are both working in better contact tracking and stricter border measures, and we now have very strong surveillance in place.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will present the plan on Monday, with a rapid expected start to the UK immunization program.
“It’s very important to see the impact of the steps we’re taking,” Hancock said. “We want to put in place a plan that will guide people … We will also be fully vigilant regarding data.”
“We have already seen other new variants, fortunately, there is very, very, very few in the country right now, but we need to protect ourselves against them,” he said.
