Leading scientists advising the government have said whether or not the UK will go into another lockdown, Press Association has reported.

According to them, the UK is “a long way away” from thinking about a winter lockdown, however they stressed we aren’t in the clear yet.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Modelling group (Spi-M), said “we are not out of the woods yet” and urged people to have their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines.

When he was asked about the prospect of a winter lockdown, he told Sky News: “I think we’re a long way away from thinking in those terms.

“I think that, clearly, there is a situation that, if the NHS is under severe pressure, if the number of deaths sadly starts to increase, then of course, obviously, there may be discussions around whether more restrictions need to come in.

Dorset Echo: Second wave versus third wave (PA)Second wave versus third wave (PA)

“I would hope that, with a very successful vaccination campaign, the idea of a winter lockdown is a long way away.

“But it is certainly true that, if we don’t get good immunity across the population, there may need to be perhaps further measures taken.

“So it’s really important that we encourage people to come forward when eligible to take those booster jabs.”

The Government have announced a ‘Plan B’ for managing coronavirus this winter which would recommend the return of mandatory face masks, vaccine passports and the reinstatement of guidance to work from home.

This comes as Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi recently suggested that the Covid-19 booster jab will become an annual vaccination programme.

He told The Sun: “We will, I hope, be the first major economy to transition from pandemic to endemic and have an annual vaccination programme.”

“I think it’s possible. I remember having these sorts of discussions about nine months ago when the vaccinations were starting to roll out, that it’s possible that this virus could become endemic, so circulates in the population every year in the way that flu does.

“It’s possible that every year we’re having to go out and get our Covid jabs in the same way a lot of people are currently getting their flu jabs.”

Dorset Echo: New cases of Covid-19 (PA)New cases of Covid-19 (PA)

Dr Tildesley said the booster programme is “going in the right direction but there clearly is work to do for the people over 50, for vulnerable adults.”

He added: “Immunity will be starting to wane from the second jab so it is really important that that acceleration continues and hopefully we get as many people protected as possible as we move into the colder months.”

As of Thursday, there were 9,160 people in hospital with Covid-19 across the UK, while, as of Sunday, 1,174 deaths had been recorded in the last week, up 6.8% on the week before.