AN OXFORD GP has concerns over the easing of Covid restrictions while cases are still high and hopes the changes are based on public health evidence.

Boris Johnson announced that England will be moving from plan B to plan A on January 26. This change will mean restrictions including mask wearing, working from home and vaccine certificates will be lifted.

Dr Joe McManners is a GP at the Manor Surgery and was previously a Labour councillor for Headington. He would like to get back to normal, but is wary that Covid cases still remain high.

Dr McManners said: "My worry is that it has been driven by politics, to try and get Boris Johnson off the hook."

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He added: "It would be good to get back to normal as soon as possible, but you do need to get the timing right and you want to be driven by science and the case rates rather than politics."

The Oxford doctor has said that he would not encourage people to disregard government advice, but did suggest that it would be sensible for people who are vulnerable to the virus to wear a mask in closed spaces.

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The doctor is also concerned easing restrictions could affect the workforce in hospitals and schools and urged people to get their vaccine.

Dr McManners said: "We are not out of the pandemic yet and there are still serious problems out there, my worry is that people will start thinking it is over when we still have got to be aware of the impact on the NHS, people's health and also the workforce."

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