Matt Hancock ‘hopeful’ social-distancing measures can be eased after Easter

Health secretary Matt Hancock says he hopes damaging social-distancing measures designed to restrict the spread of Covid-19 can be lifted after Easter.

The roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine should signal that life could go back to “normal” by then, he added.

However, he cautioned that a vaccine still has to be approved by the regulator.

And some habits developed during the pandemic, such as regular hand-washing, should continue, he suggested.

Mr Hancock told MPs during a joint session of two House of Commons committees, the Health and Social Care Committee and the Science and Technology Committee: “After Easter, we think we will be getting back to normal.”

He added: “Now, there are some things that are ‘no regrets’, right? Washing your hands more and some parts of social distancing are no-regrets things that, I think, will become commonplace.”

But he went on to say that “damaging social-distancing interventions that have downsides, whether economic or social downsides… I should hope that we can lift those after Easter if these two vaccines are approved by the regulator, which of course is an independent decision for the MHRA” (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

Boris Johnson has announced a new set of tightened rules to replace the current lockdown from next week.

The new coronavirus restrictions are set to continue until at least the end of March in England, amid warnings of a “hard winter” ahead.

However, ministers believe the end of the crisis could be in sight after recent announcements suggesting three different vaccines could protect against the virus.

Mr Johnson has forecast that “with a favourable wind” the vast majority of those most at risk from Covid-19 would be inoculated by Easter.

But he also warned the public: “This is not the moment to let the virus rip for the sake of Christmas parties.

“’Tis the season to be jolly, but it is also the season to be jolly careful, especially with elderly relatives.”

That view was echoed by England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, who urged the public not to “go wild” if restrictions are eased around Christmas.

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