At last we can look forward — cautiously

LAST night’s joyous scenes in Soho were a sneak preview of what life could be like if we stick to the rules and the roadmap. It was not quite a return to normality. Revellers sported thick coats and gloves while staff wore masks. But it was a vivid illustration of what is possible.

The scenes played out as more encouraging news on vaccine uptake was released. Ministers confirmed yesterday evening that all over-50s have been offered a Covid jab, a target achieved three days before the April 15 deadline. The

Moderna vaccine, already in use in

Wales, will be rolled out in England from today, and the Government has reiterated its confidence in offering all adults a jab by the end of July.

Vaccines are having the hoped-for impact on infections, which have now fallen below 20 per 100,000 in London, the lowest since last summer, with the figure dropping as low as 8.2 in Southwark.

There is better economic news as well. The latest GDP figures show the economy is growing again with a 0.4 per cent rise in February, leaving the UK in a strong position to bounce back this year.

As ever with this virus, there is reason to remain cautious. New variants that evade vaccines remain a potential menace — the surge testing taking place in Lambeth and Wandsworth after a cluster of cases of the South African variants were found is a reminder of that.

Meanwhile, long Covid remains an insidious threat, and not just to the elderly. Yet, as 19 out of 20 of the most at-risk people have now been vaccinated, we can look forward to more evenings like last night. Perhaps even without the thick winter jackets.

The scenes played out as more encouraging news on vaccine uptake was released