Covid live: ‘record-breaking’ numbers get booster jabs in England; arrests in Netherlands after lockdown protests

An investigation by the Mail on Sunday newspaper claims Britain’s response to Covid-19 is set to be dramatically scaled back as part of a pandemic exit strategy codenamed Rampdown.

The paper says the “secret” Whitehall plan is detailed in official government documents leaked to the paper.

It reports these reveal the government is set to:

• axe the legal requirement for those with the virus to self isolate for ten days
• end free Covid tests allowing private companies to charge for lateral flow and PCR tests
• shut down the Test and Trace system
• focus the fight on tacking local outbreaks and protecting “highest risk settings” such as care homes
• scrap the £500 payments for those on local incomes who must quarantine.

The documents say experts believe that Covid will remain at endemic levels for years and mutant strains will remains a “a very real risk”, the paper claims.

The NHS is now inviting those in England who had their second dose more than five months ago for their booster, allowing people to book their top-up in advance of becoming eligible so they can receive it as soon as they reach six months.

NHS England said next week another 3.6 million people will be invited to book their booster when they become eligible, The Observer reports.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, told PA: “It is fantastic to see such strong uptake for the booster vaccine and record numbers booking their life-saving top-up next week to make sure they have as much protection as possible ahead of winter with 3.6 million invites due to be sent this week.

“In just seven weeks more than 10 million people in England have received their booster, including more than three quarters of over-75s, and with eligible people now able to book their booster vaccine online five months after their second dose, it is easier than ever to get protected.

“I’ve had my booster – it was quick and easy and I urge anyone else who is eligible to take up the offer as soon as possible, as the vaccine remains the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from coronavirus.”

In The Netherlands, it has been reported that fifteen people were arrested after protests broke out over a newly-imposed COVID-19 lockdown.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden on Saturday night, where videos showed them setting off fireworks and holding flares billowing smoke,Sky News reported.

The Northern Netherlands Police Unit said a number of people refused to leave after they called on everyone to return home.

Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that riot police later moved in to push the protesters off the city’s central square.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has said: ‘The virus is everywhere and need to be combated everywhere”.

Under the new three-week lockdown, bars, restaurants and supermarkets have to close at 8pm and stores selling non-essential items are required to shut at 6pm.