20 Jul 2021

England Freedom Day 'a reckless move' - Baker

From Morning Report, 8:11 am on 20 July 2021

It may be freedom day in the England with many celebrating being able to go mask free and an end to social distancing, but it will result in millions of new Covid-19 cases and the highest infection rates in the world according to New Zealand epidemiologist Michael Baker.

The decision to lift Covid-19 restrictions in England was made by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson two weeks ago, who said with high vaccination rates and summer in full swing, now is the safest time to remove them.

Professor Baker says Britain has fully vaccinated only 55 percent of its population when children are taken into account, and this action could result in new vaccine-resistant variants.

He spoke to Kim Hill.