In a Q&A video published on Friday, Johnson said vaccinated friends and family members could not meet one another indoors because “we’re not yet at that stage”.
“Even though your friends and family members may be vaccinated, the vaccines are not giving 100% protection, and that’s why we just need to be cautious,” he claimed, concluding that the government does not think vaccination removes the risk of transmitting the virus.
Social media users were quick to criticise Johnson for undermining the UK’s vaccination program with his comments, and mocked the prime minister for inadvertently making an argument against vaccine passports, which he reportedly wants to implement.
“Feels like a slightly dangerous argument when govt trying to persuade everyone to get jabbed – and when road map suggests people will be able to meet indoors from next month,” tweeted Daily Mail political editor Jason Groves, while another Brit questioned when life “require(d) 100% safety”.
“Following that logic, almost everything would be banned,” he wrote.
Times Radio presenter Stig Abell said he believes two fully vaccinated people should hug if they want to, “otherwise why bother with anything. And I think two fully vaccinated people will hug whether the government likes it or not.”
Others pointed out that up to 30 people can currently be in a room together for funerals, whether they’re vaccinated or not, and warned that Johnson’s comments could make people stop following the coronavirus guidelines.
Pilot events for a vaccine passport system are reportedly being planned this month, and Johnson has previously said that pub landlords and other business owners could ban entry to those who have not been vaccinated or cannot provide a negative Covid-19 test result.
On Thursday, Johnson also claimed that vaccine passports would “definitely” soon be required for international travel and that a similar system could also be “useful” domestically.
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