James Sunderland supports the Government’s actions to stem the spread of the Covid-19 omicron variant but seeks confirmation that these further restrictions are only imposed as an absolute last resort.
James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
Like many other Members, I welcome today’s statement, and I agree that further measures and restrictions would only be a necessary evil. Will the Secretary of State acknowledge the many millions of people and businesses throughout the UK who are clawing back jobs, livelihoods and freedoms after a difficult two years, and does he agree that these further restrictions should only be an absolute last resort?
Sajid Javid (The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
I do agree with my hon. Friend. We all know from our experience of the pandemic thus far that while many of the restrictions may well be necessary to fight covid, they have other impacts, especially on the economy, on people’s life chances and on children’s education and social lives. I am very much aware of the impact that they have had on non-covid outcomes, so I very much agree with my hon. Friend.