Cabinet minister: I think June 21 is still very much under consideration
Cabinet minister Therese Coffey said the Government is still working towards lifting all coronavirus restrictions next month, despite issuing fresh guidance to some areas calling on people to limit their interactions in a bid to halt the spread of the Indian variant.
The Work and Pensions Secretary told BBC Radio 4 s Today programme: I think June 21 is still very much under consideration. We are taking a little bit longer to make sure that we have all the data to understand the impact of what has been happening and some of the measures that have been taken and helped by local communities in order to assess whether or not we can proceed.
The eight areas in England where coronavirus travel advice has been updated - and what it says
The government updated its website on Friday - but didn t make an official announcement
Updated (Image: Getty Images)
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Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Updated government guidance issued on Friday - but not publicly announced - is urging people in Bolton and seven other areas affected by the Indian coronavirus variant to avoid travel.
Borough council weren t even told either
Tuesday, 25th May 2021, 11:39 am
The Government has come under fire for amending its website urging people not to travel in and out of Bedford unless absolutely necessary - without making a widespread announcement.
The guidance which is for the areas most affected by the Indian variant - Bedford, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, North Tyneside and Hounslow - was issued on Friday night but Bedford Borough Council weren t even informed,
As well as telling residents they should keep two metres apart, work from home and meet outdoors - critically, the Government advises residents to avoid travelling in and out of Bedford unless it s essentialIn a statement on the borough council s website, it said: We were not made aware of the introduction of this advice and are urgently looking at the implications on this on the services we provide.
The new guidance has caused anger. SO-called new guidance for people living in Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley has caused anger and confusion among the communities. The new advice published on the goverment s website in recent days, which urges people to meet outdoors wherever possible and not to travel outside of affected areas includes the two places in East Lancashire but has so far been met with anger as people struggle to understand it. Even Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council deputy leader Councillor Phil Riley said: While the numbers are increasing, all the evidence is that the cases are very much concentrated amongst teenagers and young people.