Coronavirus 'back under control', Matt Hancock says, as Boris Johnson hopes for vaccine 'in a few weeks'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the country has got coronavirus “back under control” as he urged everyone eligible for a test to get one.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

During a press conference in Downing Street tonight, Mr Hancock said that in the last week, coronavirus cases in England had dropped by 30 per cent.

But he still urged those who were contacted and offered a test to take it, as he said: “You might just save a life.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It comes as Boris Johnson has said “if we’re lucky” a coronavirus vaccine could be available “in a few weeks”.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PAHealth Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PA
Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PA

The Prime Minister today visited pharmaceutical company Wockhardt’s facility in Wrexham, Wales, where he said it is hoped the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be produced.

He told reporters: “This could – could, if we’re lucky, if everything goes right – be available just in a few weeks.

“This could – and I stress could – really be the salvation for humanity, these vaccines, not just this one but obviously all the vaccines that are currently being developed.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said the Government is announcing “extra cash” so the nation is ready to create vaccines for the next pandemic.

While Mr Hancock said the falling rates had shown “that the national restrictions have been successful”.

He said: “And what this means in practice is that through everyone’s actions in respecting the national lockdown, and through everything that people have sacrificed, we’ve reduced pressures on the NHS, we’ve brought down the number of coronavirus cases, we’ve got this virus back under control.”

And he said: “It’s the moment to stand firm until the morning so we can look back and see clearly that everything we gave and everything we did, it was not for nothing but so we could save lives and build back better for everyone.”

Mr Hancock said any new vaccine would not be mandatory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he added: “We think that by encouraging the uptake of the vaccine we will get a very high proportion of people in this country to take up the vaccine, because of course it protects you but it also helps to protect your loved ones and your community.”

He said ministers were “looking” at whether the hospitality sector could refuse access to those who have not taken up a Covid vaccine once it becomes available.

Health minister Nadhim Zahawi, in charge of the vaccine roll-out, has said hospitality and entertainment venues may insist on seeing proof that people have had one.

Mr Hancock told the press briefing: “For a long time now we’ve been looking at the questions that minister Zahawi was talking about and the question of what’s the impact on the individual in terms of what they can do. That’s what minister Zahawi was referring to.”

He said suggested mass testing would continue even once vaccines were starting to be rolled out.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.