3RD WAVE FEARS
» Warning as cases surge in Europe » PM in talks to stop vaccine blockade
BRITAIN is facing the threat of a catastrophic third wave of Covid-19 infections.
PM Boris Johnson yesterday warned that the deadly new wave rapidly spreading across Europe would “wash up on our shores”.
He also revealed he had talked to EU leaders and was “reassured” they did not want a vaccines blockade which could delay our rollout. Mr Johnson said: “We’re facing the same pandemic, we all have the same problems.”
THE daily death toll from Covid-19 fell to 17 yesterday, the lowest in six months, just as the nation was warned of a third wave of the virus sweeping in from the Continent.
Boris Johnson said people should be “under no illusion” we will “feel the effects” of rising cases across the Channel, where vaccination rates are lagging far behind the UK’s.
As the EU continued threatening to block exports of the AstraZeneca jab to the UK, he called for international co-operation on vaccinations but insisted Britain is still on course to inoculate the nine priority groups, including the over-50s, by April 15.
During a visit to defence firm BAE Systems, in Preston, Lancs, he said: “A vaccination programme, developing vaccines, rolling them out... these are international projects and require international co-operation.”
The Prime Minister said the Government would “bash on” with its roadmap for lifting restrictions despite concerns the vaccines row could lead to delays. The weekly rate of infection per 100,00 people in the UK is 57.4, compared to 216.2 in France, 109.9 in Germany, 254.4 in Italy, 60.8 in Spain and 395.8 in Poland, data from Statista shows.
Despite fears of a third wave, Mr Johnson is under pressure from Tory backbenchers to speed up easing restrictions.
But Government scientists have warned rushing out of lockdown risks another spike in infections, undermining the vaccine rollout. A further 5,342 cases were recorded yesterday more than 28 million people now having had one jab and 2.3 million have had two.
But summer holidays could be on hold until vaccination rates in other countries improve. And they may be derailed entirely by the soaring infection rates in the EU.
Home Secretary Priti Patel suggested France, which has high rates of the virulent South African strain, could be put on the “red list” of banned countries.
Holidays abroad will officially be illegal after the Government last night brought in new laws to enforce the rules already in place. Anybody who travels abroad without a reasonable excuse could face a £5,000 fine.
There is also a £200 fixed penalty for failing to fill in a travel declaration form, giving personal details and the reason for travel.
Ministers also formally banned different households meeting indoors for Easter, putting into law the policy forbidding indoor mixing until May 17.
No10 sources confirmed the PM
“private talks” with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the vaccines on Sunday.
But the dispute over supply showed little sign of easing as EU countries struggle to inoculate their populations.
EU leaders will meet online on Thursday to discuss a possible ban on exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the UK.
Brussels chief Ursula von der Leyen has warned of the power to “forbid” exports. She said: “That is the message to AstraZeneca.”
There is growing frustration the EU is not getting the supplies it expected from the Britishheld Swedish manufacturers. Brussels officials said they were not seeking a ban but wanted pharmaceutical firms to meet their contractual obligations.
The row is focused on the Halix plant in the Netherlands, which makes an ingredient for the AstraZeneca jab.
But Whitehall sources played down claims that Britain could share its Dutch-made vaccine supplies to prevent the EU bringing in a ban.
They said to treat with “caution” reports that the Government is prepared to negotiate how to divide up stocks with European countries.
The plant has made enough for between five and 10 million vaccines.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said the G overnment was right when it said that the contracts had to be honoured and the EU was not “helping itself ”.
Health Minister Helen Whatley also dismissed “rhetoric” over a possible ban. She said: “No country should follow vaccine nationalism.”
Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin said a ban would be a “retrograde step”.
British officials travelled to Brussels at the weekend for vaccine talks with the European Commission.
And Lord Eddie Lister is to travel to the Serum Institute in India to try to unblock the supply of five million vaccine doses from there.