Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It would be “premature” to book an overseas summer holiday now, a government minister has said, as he warns gains from the vaccine programme need to be preserved “at all costs”.
The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, told the BBC he had not booked his summer holiday and warned of the danger of holidaymakers importing new coronavirus variants from abroad.
“If we were to be reckless in any way, and import new variants that put out risks, what would people say about that?” Mr Wallace told Sky News on Sunday.
“We’ve got good direction of travel, we’re getting there, and I think we need to make sure we preserve that at all costs.”
In a separate interview with the BBC, he added: “I haven't booked my holiday. It would be premature to do that.”
It is currently against the law to take a foreign holiday. The government’s roadmap for lifting restrictions say they could be allowed from 17 May at the earliest.
Read more:
But the date could be shifted back further if the situation changes abroad, ministers have said.
“We can’t be deaf and blind to what’s going on outside the United Kingdom. If you look in Europe, increases in infections,” Mr Wallace said.
The government confirmed on Saturday that half of all UK adults have received at least one dose of their Covid-19 vaccine.
The milestone puts Britain well ahead of all other major economies and neighbouring European countries, which have run into difficulties deploying their vaccines.
A taskforce led by Michael Gove is set to report next month on the question of foreign travel, notably whether vaccine passports will be used.
Mr Wallace suggested people should wait for the review to be published.
Some travel companies and airlines have continued to push people to book holidays in a bid to stay afloat.
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy backed the government’s approach, telling BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: “I think the government is right to say we should be guided by the science.
“I’ve been troubled by the fact the prime minister privately seems to be saying to some of his rebels he’s keen to get this done quickly.
“We do need to be careful, we do need to be cautious and, frankly, I’ve not booked a foreign holiday for this summer and I won’t be doing so because I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments