Dr Hilary Jones warns of third wave as lockdown measures ease: ‘We have to be cautious’

Dr Hilary Jones has warned of a third wave in the coronavirus pandemic, as lockdown measures continue to ease.

The ‘rule of six’ for parks and gardens was reinstated at the beginning of this week, meaning a max of six people from any number of households, or a group of any size from two households, can meet up together outside.

However, after photos emerged of people enjoying the sunny weather in parks across the UK, the health expert urged people to ‘be cautious’.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he told Charlotte Hawkins and Ranvir Singh: ‘People are still flouting the rules, so not really understanding that we could get a third wave unless we’re really careful down the line. 

‘Still more than half the population has not been vaccinated yet. There are new variants out there, France is in real trouble, lots of Europe is in real trouble.

‘We can congratulate ourselves on doing so well, getting so many people vaccinated, not just for the first dose but over 3million now with the second dose.

‘That confers much better immunity. So while it’s very good, it’s not 100% protection. And there are new variants to which the vaccine might be less effective against. 

‘So we have to be cautious.’

Dr Hilary previously lashed out at those who had gathered in huge crowds to celebrate the good weather over the weekend and at the beginning of this week.

He also took aim at those who hadn’t cleared up after themselves.

On Wednesday’s instalment of GMB, he said: ‘The pictures speak for themselves… a group of six can’t socially distance if they’re sitting right next to another group of six.

‘When I look at those pictures, I do worry going forward.

‘When you’ve got mass gatherings like that, you’re going to get transmissions of the virus.’

Sharing his fears for more measures being introduced, Dr Hilary added: ‘I don’t want to be a kill joy but we have to do this cautiously, we have to look at the science. 

‘What have we learnt from previous lockdowns if we ease lockdown too quickly? Nobody wants that.’

Good Morning Britain continues on weekdays, at 6am, on ITV.

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