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Boris Johnson says Britain should stay away from Covid restrictions

Boris Johnson said Britain needed to leave the “state mandate” over coronavirus restrictions before the expected announcement that the Covid-19 measures would be scrapped.

In an extensive interview with BBC’s Sunday morning TV show, the prime minister defended government proposals to ease anti-pandemic measures – which include ending the legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive coronavirus test – arguing that With the number of cases and hospitalizations now decreasing, the country is in a “different world” when compared to previous stages in the pandemic.

“We are certainly not asking people to be cautious of the winds. Covid is still a dangerous disease, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated,” he said, adding that the country had reached a stage where the balance could shift” away from state mandate, from bans. certain actions”.

He also confirmed that the test offering would be scaled back in the UK: “We will be testing at a much lower level,” he said. “We don’t need to keep spending at the rate of £2 billion a month.”

His comments come before parliament returns from recess on Monday, when he is likely to face renewed pressure from his supporters over his handling of the “partisan” scandal. “.

Asked about the matter by the BBC, Johnson refused to clarify whether he would resign if it was found that he had broken Covid rules by attending Downing Street parties.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating at least 12 gatherings across Whitehall and Downing Street and have called in more than 50 individuals, including Johnson, to respond to questions. The Prime Minister submitted his questionnaire to the Met on Friday.

“As soon as I have something more to say on the matter, I will, but I cannot comment in any way and I will not be able to do so.” I said.

Labor’s shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticized plans to ease Covid restrictions, arguing that coronavirus decision-making in Downing Street is driven “by the prime minister’s political weakness”. ” rather than public health guidelines.

Streeting told the BBC: “We would like to see the government publish scientific advice, because at the moment this seems too early.” “It looks like Boris Johnson wants to declare victory before the war is over in the hopes he gets some headlines about victory days in Covid instead of police officers questioning actions in No. ten”.

However, when asked about whether the prime minister should step down if penalized for the Downing Street gatherings, Europe Secretary James Cleverly told Sky News that Johnson’s step aside was “disgusting”. well suited.

“I don’t think what the country needs at the moment is a vacuum in the center of the government as we are dealing with our recovery from Covid, the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. , ensuring that the health service can deal with the sad, unfortunate but still evident, backlog created by Covid”.

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