Care Minister Gillian Keegan appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the new rules regarding isolation due to Covid-19 in England, but appeared to fumble when she was questioned about her New Year’s Eve plans.
The period of isolation after a positive test has been reduced to seven days, but only after two negative lateral flow tests have been received.
The MP began her chat with presenter Sally Nugent by discussing the developments within the restriction times.
Sally asked Gillian to clarify the science behind the new minimised isolation period, to which Gillian replied: “They’ve looked at the difference between ten days isolation or doing a lateral flow test on day six and day seven.
“If you get a negative test on day six and day seven you can then leave isolation.”
(Image: BBC)
“We’re still telling everybody to be cautious but they’ve looked at this and said it’s an equivalent risk staying an extra three days in your bedroom […] we’re using testing as a tool now to enable people to limit the disruption and get on with their lives and their jobs.”
Sally asked Gillian again to clarify the science behind the new rules and she replied: “The science is, if you do serial testing on day six and day seven, you’ve got more information than if you make an assumption that by ten days it will be gone.
(Image: BBC)
“Serial testing is an equivalent risk to ten days. They’ve been looking at that and been analysing that for a while now […] I think this will be really welcome, certainly for those people who now may be able to enjoy their Christmas lunch, who couldn’t.”
Gillian also thanked the “nearly twenty million people who have come forward for their booster jabs” before moving on to urge people to keep taking lateral flow tests if they are meeting their friends and family so people can “socialise sensibly”.
(Image: PA)
When asked about what New Year’s Eve means for pubs and restaurants, Gillian said: “One of the hardest things for businesses, all the way through this pandemic, has been dealing with this uncertainty. Obviously they will have to look at their bookings, I know some have cancelled.”
“We’ve kept our reservations but some people aren’t, as they’re taking a more cautious approach […] They’ll have to make a balanced decision based on their own analysis of the situation.”
Sally then asked Gillian: “You’re saying you’re keeping your reservations, what are your plans for New Year’s Eve?”
(Image: BBC)
Despite mentioning earlier that she had plans, Gillian replied: “Actually I didn’t have a plan for New Year’s Eve as I find New Year’s Eve is quite expensive. We don’t go out on New Year’s Eve, but we have a family meal out tonight in a restaurant so all of us will be together tonight, in a restaurant.”
Sally responded: “So the reservations you mentioned, they weren’t for New Year’s Eve?”
Gillian ended the interview with: “I didn’t have one for New Year’s Eve, I don’t usually have one for New Year’s Eve, but you know, different people will be going out on different days, right?”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here .
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
