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Brits could be given "immunity wristbands" to prove they won't get coronavirus once the lockdown is lifted, the government has announced.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the wristbands or certificates could be rolled out once the post-infection science is clearer.

Speaking on BBC's Question Time on Thursday, he said the wristbands would prove that people can't carry or catch the Covid-19 infection.

He said: "When the science is good enough to understand the immunity that people have after having had the disease, then we are looking at introducing something like an immunity certificate or maybe a wristband that says 'I've had it and I'm immune and I can't pass it on and I'm highly unlikely to catch it'.

"And we think we will be able to get there but as of today, the scientists are not confident enough in understanding the progress of the disease after people have got through it like I have."

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Last week, Matt Hancock revealed he was infected with coronavirus and was self-isolating.

The wristbands could prove useful as and when the lockdown is relaxed or when former patients are allowed to go back to work properly.

But he added that it isn't yet certain that people will have immunity after getting the virus.

(Image: BBC)

Health experts have warned that social distancing practices could last for the next six months.

Downing Street is looking into how well immunity certificates work in other countries.

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: "It is something which has been discussed in other countries.

"We will look at strategies followed elsewhere. If there are things that would be helpful in the UK, we will of course consider them."

Germany is planning to introduce immunity certificates as researchers have begun testing 100,000 people a day for the disease.

Other countries around the world have demanded travellers carry documentation confirming they don't have coronavirus.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Last month, Kuwait's civil aviation authority said passengers from 10 countries including India, Turkey and Egypt must produce certificates.

Thailand has also introduced new measures demanding medical certificates from people entering the country confirming they have been tested.

The UK has a total of 33,718 confirmed coronavirus cases and 2,921 deaths.