‘Cautious approach to easing rules ‘right’

THE British Medical Association (BMA) is calling on the government to stand by its cautious approach to easing restrictions.

Dr Richard Jarvis, BMA public health medicine committee co-chairman, said: “With key segments of the population still not vaccinated and clusters of variants, including the rapidly increasing Indian variant, becoming a growing concern, we must approach this next stage with the utmost caution.

“It is a real worry the majority of younger people, who are often highly socially mobile and could therefore be most at risk of a more infectious strain, are not yet vaccinated.

“Despite having the highest rates of positive tests throughout the pandemic, they will now be able to mix in larger groups in hospitality venues without many of the mitigations that have helped to push infection rates lower and lower since the start of the year.”

Public health bosses in Leicester have said they believe they have cases under control and there is no need for surge testing for the Indian Covid variant.

Three cases of the strain first detected in India were reported in the city at the end of last month.

Since then a small number of further cases have been identified but exactly how many has not been revealed.

The cases that have been recorded in the city can all be linked to travel, so targeted testing of their close contacts is being carried out.

Dr Jarvis said: “We are urging the public, and young people in particular, to take a cautious approach to social and physical contact, to continue practising ‘hands, face, space’ and to meet outdoors wherever possible.

“The BMA is clear using lateral flow testing to enable social contact, including at large-scale events, is by no means a green light for normal behaviour, and people need to understand it has limitations.

“As the country opens for business, it is vital local public health teams have the additional funding and staff they need to serve their populations and visitors effectively.”