Sajid Javid today says the best way to protect the nation's health is to lift the remaining coronavirus restrictions.
Writing exclusively for The Mail on Sunday, the new Health Secretary says: 'The economic arguments for opening up are well known, but for me, the health arguments are equally compelling.'
His comments mark a sharp change in tone from that of his predecessor Matt Hancock, who was forced to resign last weekend after his affair with an aide was exposed.
They come as Boris Johnson prepares to announce a raft of measures to come into force from July 19 which will 'make Britain the most open country in Europe'.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that under Freedom Day plans expected to be signed off by the Cabinet tomorrow:
The Prime Minister is 'determined' that fully vaccinated Britons will be able to travel to amber-list countries including Spain and Greece without having to self-isolate when they return; Wearing face masks will become voluntary everywhere – including on public transport – with the exception of hospitals and other healthcare settings; Those who have received two doses of a vaccine will not be required to self-isolate or take Covid-19 tests if they are alerted that they have come into contact with someone with the virus – but tests will still be available for all those who want them; The school 'bubbles' system that has seen hundreds of thousands of pupils being forced to self-isolate at home will be axed and replaced with daily testing; Restaurants, pubs and shops will no longer have to demand that customers provide their personal data or sign in with a 'QR' code.
Sajid Javid (pictured) today says the best way to protect the nation's health is to lift the remaining coronavirus restrictions
Vaccination Nurse Lorraine Mooney gives a vaccination to a member of the public outside a bus in the car park of Crieff Community Hospital
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that under Freedom Day plans expected to be signed off by the Cabinet tomorrow, wearing face masks will become voluntary everywhere – including on public transport – with the exception of hospitals and other healthcare settings
A No 10 source told The Mail on Sunday: 'This is a big injection of freedom that will make us the most open country in Europe.'
Mr Johnson is expected to set out the findings of a social distancing review this week, before confirming details of the greatly relaxed rules on July 12.
The developments came as Britain's world-beating vaccination programme continued apace. The latest figures showed 85.7 per cent of adults have now had their first jab, with 63.4 per cent getting both doses of a vaccine.
In his article, Mr Javid says the UK is 'on track' to escape almost every vestige of lockdown on July 19, adding: 'We will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too.'
But he makes no secret of the challenges he faces as Health Secretary, admitting that he has 'the biggest in-tray I've had at any department – and I've run five'.
Setting out his priorities, he writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog – something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better.
'We are on track for July 19 and we have to be honest with people about the fact that we cannot eliminate Covid. We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly... But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view.'
Mr Javid says an estimated seven million fewer people than normal approached the NHS for treatment during the pandemic.
He added: 'The steps we took saved countless lives but also led to the build-up of a vast elective backlog – checks, appointments and treatments for all the less urgent, but often just as important, health issues.'
Figures released in April showed the number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England exceeded 5 million for the first time since records began in 2007, prompting the Royal College of Surgeons to call for specialist hubs to carry out delayed routine operations such as knee and hip replacements.
Mr Javid's comments mark a sharp change in tone from that of his predecessor Matt Hancock (pictured), who was forced to resign last weekend after his affair with an aide was exposed
Senior sources said that Mr Javid (pictured) has ushered in a new approach towards handling the pandemic, following Mr Hancock's strong support for lockdown and coronavirus restrictions. 'Sajid has pushed down on the accelerator,' said one
Mr Javid – who quit as Chancellor last year after clashing with No 10 aide Dominic Cummings – also acknowledges that lockdown has 'caused a shocking rise in domestic violence and a terrible impact on so many people's mental health'.
Senior sources said that Mr Javid has ushered in a new approach towards handling the pandemic, following Mr Hancock's strong support for lockdown and coronavirus restrictions. 'Sajid has pushed down on the accelerator,' said one.
Yesterday's official figures showed almost 25,000 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths within 24 hours. But as Mr Javid points out, the last time the UK reported similar numbers of new cases, about 500 people were dying each day, more than 25 times the current rate.
SAJID JAVID: The economic arguments for opening up Britain are well known. But, for
