Thread by @Steven_Swinford

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England could face nationwide restrictions and extensive local lockdowns in event of 2nd coronavirus wave this winter, Matt Hancock warns

Under 'reasonable worse case scenario' UK could see surge in coronavirus at same time as bad flu outbreak

thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/m…

Hancock on 2nd wave:

'This is reasonable worst-case scenario: we have bad flu and growth in coronavirus as people spend more time indoors

'Cases go up, we have to use extensive local lockdowns or take further national action

'We don’t rule that out but we don’t want to see it'

Matt Hancock also says that under 'central' scenario vaccine won't get regulatory approval until 'some time next year'

He says social distancing rules are here for the 'forseeable' and suggests he doesn't expect grandparents to be able to hug grandchildren at Christmas

Here's Hancock on whether grandparents will be able to hug their grandchildren at Christmas:

'I yearn to be able to remove the restrictions on social contact but those restrictions are absolutely necessary at the moment

'We’ll be keeping them in place for the foreseeable'

Matt Hancock also says people should go back to work so they can build up a 'rapport' with colleagues

'Social relations that are part and parcel of an effective working relationship that you can only really build up face to face'

thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/h…

Matt Hancock is highly critical of 'media narrative' of u-turns

'It [a change of policy] is evidence of rational, objective government doing the best it can under difficult circumstance

'If I get 80% of my decisions right then I'd be very pleased with that'