ALL eyes will be on PM Boris Johnson this week as pressure builds for a second national coronavirus lockdown.
There is talk of a temporary lockdown as a two-week “circuit breaker” – but senior Tories have threatened to stop such a move, as anger grows over restrictions imposed on Brits without a vote in the Commons.
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The PM could make an announcement on any new coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, September 22, reports The Telegraph.
Boris Johnson has been urged to use this week’s TV address to the nation to clearly spell out how the Government is ready to contain the surging infection rates.
Number 10 has warned that an ‘extended’ national lockdown could be enforced if the coronavirus surge isn’t stopped in its tracks.
Boris Johnson has spent the weekend speaking with advisers about dumping his ‘Rule of Six‘ and introducing a fortnight-long so-called circuit breaker, nationwide.
The PM could impose a two-week social lockdown within days to act as a “circuit breaker” on the virus – as advised by top scientists – to hopefully jolt the spread of Covid-19 and then let people resume their lives.
Schools and offices would stay open, but pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities could be closed for at least a fortnight — going further than current curfews in some areas.
And according to reports, Brits could face on-off restrictions for six months as the country continues to battle the killer respiratory disease.
The two-week shutdown could reportedly be announced by the PM in a televised press conference as early as Tuesday, September 22.
He’s previously said a second lockdown was the “last thing anybody wants”.
But Covid-19 infections have doubled in a week and are still “rising in areas where local restrictions on socialising have been imposed”, reports The Times.
New daily coronavirus cases for Britain have risen to 4,422, the highest since early May.
An official estimate also shows that new infections and hospital admissions are doubling every seven to eight days in the UK.
Scientific advisers have warned there is is no reliable alternative to a second national lockdown.
The Conservative government is reportedly widely expected to impose further restrictions after Mr Johnson confirmed the UK is “now seeing a second wave coming in”.
This is despite a growing number of local lockdowns, with up to 13million people now living under tightened new restrictions.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned the PM that the capital needs new Covid restrictions by Monday, September 21, including a 10pm curfew for pubs, to stop the surge in cases.
However, one expert said it was “too early” for a second national lockdown and that there is currently no evidence of “what’s called a second wave of coronavirus”.
Prof Carl Heneghan, director of Oxford University’s centre for evidence-based medicine, said the country “can’t afford to go now with harsh measures”, as there will be an inevitable resurgence in cases.
He added there “has to be a level of immunity for this to become manageable”, while pointing to Sweden’s “rational debate” and keeping the virus at manageable levels through the summer.
Prof Heneghan told Sky News that Covid-19 was acting in a seasonal way similar to other respiratory infections, advising any new moves should aim to slow it down, as it’ll be “a long winter”.
He said: “If we go now it’s too early. As it gets colder, as we’re inside more, there will be more coughs and colds.
“If you’re looking at a break and when we need it, we need it in the mid-winter when we might run into problems.
“There’s no evidence right now of what’s called a second wave.”
Yet there are fears that the UK risks following the Covid-19 trajectory in other countries in Europe such as France where infections tipped the scales again on Saturday, September 19, with nearly 13,500 new infections in 24 hours.
Speaking about the UK situation, health secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News on Sunday September 20: “The nation faces a tipping point and we have a choice.
“The choice is either that everybody follows the rules… or we will have to take more measures.”
Mr Hancock also told the BBC that a second national lockdown was a distinct possibility.
“I don’t rule it out, I don’t want to see it,” he added.
But the threat of further restrictions has annoyed senior Tories, who are plotting to stop Mr Johnson from enforcing a new coronavirus lockdown with a “Parliamentary lock” – giving the final say to the Commons.
MPs are due to vote to renew the “temporary provisions” of the lockdown measures introduced under the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee, which represents backbench Conservative MPs, told The Telegraph: “There is now no justification for ministers ruling by emergency powers without reference to normal democratic processes.
“It is essential that going forward all of these massively important decisions for family life, and affecting people’s jobs and businesses should be exercised with proper supervision and control.”
Mr Johnson has announced fines of up to £10,000 for people in England who break new rules requiring them to self-isolate if they have been in contact with someone infected with Covid-19.
The rule comes into effect on September 28.
On September 9, in his first No 10 press conference since July, Boris Johnson addressed the nation to announce new measures to tackle the coronavirus.
He said: “In England, from Monday (September 14) we are introducing the rule of six.
“You must not meet socially in groups of more than six – and if you do, you will be breaking the law.
“This will apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.
“The ban will be set out in law and it will be enforced by the police – anyone breaking the rules risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested.”
The PM added: “This single measure replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors. Now you only need to remember the rule of six.”
Limited exemptions were also outlined – for example, “if a single household or support bubble is larger than six, they can still gather”.
Plus, “Covid-secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants and hospitality venues can still hold more than six people in total.
“Within those venues however, there must not be individual groups larger than six, and groups must not mix socially or form larger groups.
“Education and work settings are unaffected, Covid-secure weddings and funerals can go ahead, up to a limit of 30 people, and organised sport will still be able to proceed.”
However, these rules are now up in the air, with the PM expected to announce stricter lockdown measures.
