Matt Hancock tells LBC he hopes we can have a 'normal summer' in 2021

8 December 2020, 08:17 | Updated: 8 December 2020, 09:00

Health Secretary: 'I hope we can have a normal Summer'

By Megan White

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told LBC he hopes we can have a “normal summer” in 2021 as the Covid vaccine rollout began across the UK.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari, Mr Hancock said “we can see the route out but we’ve still got a march ahead of us” in the fight against the virus.

He said he hopes Brits will not have to wear masks next year and said "I think that by spring we should be out of the measures."

Read more: Matt Hancock: There is a tear in my eye at seeing Covid-vaccine being given

Read more: The husband and wife 'dream team' behind the Covid-19 vaccine

Mr Hancock spoke as a 90-year-old grandmother became the first patient to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.

Asked whether he thought we’d be wearing masks for most of 2021, the Health Secretary said: “I don’t think so, I think that by spring we should be out of the measures, I really hope, and I hope that we have a normal summer this summer coming.

Matt Hancock says there is a tear in his eye at the sight of the first vaccine being given

"I think people have gotten used to wearing masks in certain circumstances, but I want to get back to living by personal responsibility rather than living by laws that we've had to pass through Parliament, and now we can see the route to getting back to that."

Vaccinations will be administered at dozens of hospital hubs across the country from Tuesday - dubbed "V-Day" by Mr Hancock.

The Prime Minister said he was "immensely proud" of the scientists who have developed the new jab and praised NHS staff for working "tirelessly" to make the vaccine rollout happen.

But Mr Hancock urged Brits to continue following the rules after pictures from over the weekend showed huge crowds gathering in London and Nottingham with no social distancing.

He said: “We’ve got to hold our nerve, we’ve got to keep our resolve, because this is still a deadly disease.

“And until we can protect everybody who is very high risk if they catch the disease, until we can do that, we’ve got to stick together.

Grandmother, 90, first to receive Covid vaccine

“I know that’s a bit of a downer on what is a wonderful day but it’s so important for all of us that we keep this under control until the vaccine can be rolled out.

“I’ve been saying endlessly for months, the strategy is keep the virus suppressed until the vaccine can make us safe.

“We are now one very big step closer to the vaccine making us safe but even for those who are vaccinated today, they need a second dose in three weeks time and then it takes a week to have full effect, so it’s in four weeks that they’ll be safe.

“We’ve got millions of people to vaccinate so we’ve got to hold our nerve.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A dedicated gardener gently waters her flourishing plants, banner

Millions missing out on water bill support due to 'unmeterable' homes

A man reacts in front of candles at a school where a shooting took place on June 10

Non-functional pipe bomb and farewell letter found at home of Austria school shooter, say police

The San José, a Spanish ship, sunk after being attacked off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia.

'Holy grail' shipwreck with £15,000,000,000 worth of treasure found in Caribbean

Tijjani Reijnders has joined Manchester City from Milan and takes the club’s spending this year to £288m.

Manchester City continue summer spending spree with new £46million Dutch midfielder

'Telling Derek about my heart condition would have killed him,' admits Kate Garraway

'Telling Derek about my heart condition would have killed him,' admits Kate Garraway as she opens up on health battle

Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer, and Lisa Stocker who are accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram (over two pounds) of cocaine into Indonesia sit inside the courtroom at Denpasar District Court

'I was framed': British mother facing death penalty in Bali for 'smuggling cocaine in Angel Delight' claims stitch-up

A TV ad for Twix showing a man with flowing hair involved in a car chase and crash that results in his and an identical, caramel-coloured car sandwiched on top of each other, has been banned

Twix advert banned for encouraging unsafe driving

Police searching for Madeleine McCann clues uncovered buried guns and bone fragments

Madeleine McCann police find ‘two buried guns' near prime suspect's abandoned house

Claudia Winkleman (left) and Tess Daly are set to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly 'to be recognised' in King's Birthday Honours list

One of the Red Arrows Hawk T1 jets comes in to land at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team are staying overnight in Liverpool before continuing their their journey from RAF Lossiemouth.

RAF hits back over claims Red Arrows 'in crisis' after legendary display team forced to plunder old planes for parts

A vehicle is set alight during an anti-immigration demonstration in Ballymena

Anti-immigration unrest leaves 17 officers injured in Ballymena as police chief slams 'dangerous' underfunding

Manchester City have unveiled French star Rayan Cherki ahead of Club World Cup

Manchester City seal £30.5million deal for France midfielder Rayan Cherki ahead of Club World Cup

Harry Brook and England with the vitality trophy during the 3rd Vitality IT20 between England and West Indies at Utilita Bowl.

England complete T20 series clean sweep to continue Harry Brook’s winning start

Orlando Bloom's two-hour procedure took place at Clarify Clinic in London

Orlando Bloom pays £10k treatment to remove microplastics from his blood

Rough sleeping is set to be decriminalised in England and Wales

Rough sleeping to be decriminalised in England and Wales under plans to ditch 'pernicious' 200-year-old law

A 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Manchester has been named locally as Ibrahima Seck

Three teenage boys charged with the murder of 14-year-old Manchester schoolboy Ibrahima Seck