Dr Hilary slams international holidays amid threat of third wave: ‘It’s inappropriate and foolhardy’

Dr Hilary Jones has slammed those currently planning international holidays as a possible third wave of coronavirus threatens to hit the UK.

It was announced yesterday that it will be illegal to travel abroad without a reasonable excuse from Monday, with those attempting to break the Covid-19 regulations facing a £5,000 fine. 

The news comes amid warnings of a third wave hitting the UK due to new variants and strains of the virus circulating in Europe. 

Speaking on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid stated: ‘What happens in Europe will happen to us.’ 

Dr Hilary then offered his expert advice and said: ‘People talking about holidays at the moment, it’s not appropriate. It’s foolhardy…

‘It’s international travel that’s transmitting the virus more quickly than anything else. Aircraft and people being able to move very quickly throughout the world. 

‘We’re also seeing new variants, it’s not just the original virus that’s causing mayhem, it’s the new variants that are also potentially very damaging.’ 

The GP continued: ‘Whilst we are doing very well with our vaccination schedule here, the new variants threaten the immunity of the vaccines that we’re currently using. We don’t want to go back to the position we were in a year ago. 

‘If we’re too lax with the regulations, we will have another wave, we will have more people in hospital. 

‘More deaths again and people will suffer with their mental health, with their education, and that’s why I think it’s really imperative that people take this seriously still and obey the regulations which are set down by the Government but advised through scientists.’ 

The Government is expected to review the international travel regulations on April 12 when England will see further lockdown rules eased.  

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV. 

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