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Carol McGiffin says lockdown is 'no longer about a virus' as she criticises COVID-19 restrictions

Carol McGiffin attends the MSC Bellisima Naming Ceremony on March 02, 2019. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for MSC Bellissima)
Carol McGiffin attends the MSC Bellisima Naming Ceremony on March 02, 2019. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for MSC Bellissima)

Loose Women regular Carol McGiffin has claimed the national lockdown is "no longer about a virus" in a Twitter thread criticising the current COVID-19 restrictions.

The 61-year-old broadcaster tweeted on Friday to mark her final appearance on the show before the first national lockdown forced it to adopt a socially distanced format.

Read more: McGiffin admits she has doubts about the Moon landings

McGiffin noted that she commented on that show about her scepticism around whether a lockdown would actually suppress the virus.

She added that the country has "lost its collective marbles over a virus with a 99+% survival rate" and said freedoms are being lost.

"So much damage has been done by these endless and largely unnecessary restrictions that it seems almost irreparable," McGiffin said.

McGiffin concluded by suggesting that the continued lockdown restrictions prove that "this is no longer about a virus any more than the vaccine is about protecting those who need it".

The broadcaster has been a prominent critic of lockdown restrictions and earlier this month commented on Stephen Fry's vaccination at Westminster Abbey by tweeting that "COVID and vaccines are being accepted as the new religion".

Read more: Kate Garraway discusses husband's COVID-19 hospital nightmare

She said in July that she finds face masks "invasive and uncomfortable" and spoke of her mental health struggles during the first national lockdown last year.

Her fellow Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has also been critical of lockdown restrictions and was involved in a charged row with Piers Morgan last year over the lifting of distancing rules.

Denise Welch poses for a photo during the
Denise Welch poses for a photo during the "Henpire" podcast launch event on September 10, 2020. (Photo by Jamie Thistlethwaite/Getty Images)

The government is currently moving through its planned road map for the lifting of lockdown restrictions, with schools in England now open to all pupils.

The next phase of easing is due to take place on 29 March, when up to six people — or two households — will be able to meet socially outdoors.

Read more: Lockdown easing dates for your diary

Subsequently, the second stage of easing is due to take place from 12 April, at the earliest, and could see shops, gyms, hair salons and numerous outdoor venues open their doors.

Boris Johnson has confirmed the road map is currently due to go ahead as planned, despite an upcoming decrease in the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses available in this country.

Watch: Stephen Fry receives COVID-19 vaccine at Westminster Abbey