Photographer: Tolga Akmen / AFP / Getty Images
Photographer: Tolga Akmen / AFP / Getty Images
The third UK coronavirus blockade appears to be continuing as the government warned it is too early to consider loosening restrictions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel have not reiterated previous assurances that the UK will return to normal in April, even as the massive vaccination program continued to expand to 5 million people.
Instead, the government’s focus shifted to strengthening compliance with current restrictions, amid concerns that too many people are still ignoring the rules, making it more difficult to control the spread of the disease.
UK is considering paying people to stay home during lockdown breaches
Ministers are considering making payments of £ 500 ($ 683) to anyone who tests positive for Covid to persuade more people with symptoms to get tested, the Guardian newspaper reported Thursday. The policy, which would cost about £ 2 billion a month, would aim to overcome people’s fears of losing income if they are forced by a positive test to isolate themselves, the paper said, citing a 19-year document. January.
Patel announced that new police fines of 800 pounds ($ 1,097) will be imposed on people caught at house parties. When asked whether the public should book summer vacations, she said the advice now is to stay at home.
“It is far too early to say or even speculate when we can lift restrictions,” said Patel. “This country remains in the grip of a pandemic.”
Summer
Earlier, Johnson was asked if the lockdown might have to last into the summer, and he didn’t rule it out, only warning that the new coronavirus strain is “much more contagious” and that the UK is facing “which will no doubt be difficult.” weeks ahead. “
Their comments suggest a more bleak outlook than a few days ago when ministers said so hope to start opening the economy in the first half of March.
Johnson is under pressure from members of his Conservative party who are pushing for a plan to ease the lockdown once the government achieves its goal of vaccinating the 15 million most vulnerable people, a goal he aims to achieve by February 15. .
The UK suffered the worst day of the pandemic on Wednesday, with more than 1,800 dead within 24 hours, as Boris Johnson’s chief scientific adviser warned that some hospitals now look “like a war zone.” Laura Wright reports.
“Vaccinations will of course bring immunity to Covid, but they must also provide immunity from lockdowns and restrictions,” Tory lawmaker Mark Harper, chairman of the party’s so-called Covid Recovery Group, said in a statement. “This cycle of lockdowns and restrictions causes enormous damage.”
Rules
Shops, restaurants, and schools are closed, and people have been told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. The restrictions threaten to push the economy into another recession after the worst decline in three centuries.
The Decentralized Government of Northern Ireland announced an extension of the region’s closure until March 5.
According to the latest UK data, 1290 people have died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 95,829, the highest death toll in Europe. It has had a succession of records of both new cases and daily deaths this month.
Read more: Why the variants of the mutated coronavirus are so concerning: QuickTake
Patel said that while most people obeying According to the rules, some exhibit “irresponsible behavior” that “constitutes a significant threat to public health.”
Fines for attending parties will double for any further offense up to a maximum fine of £ 6,400, she said. Party organizers have already faced fines of £ 10,000.
Read more: The UK has now given more than 5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses
The new enforcement action will apply to all gatherings of more than 15 people discovered by the police as ministers take tougher measures against lifting lockdown restrictions.
Vin Diwakar, the Medical Director of the National Health Service for London, said the UK is facing the biggest public health crisis since World War II, likened breaking the rules by hosting or attending large parties to “turning on a light. during a power outage in the Blitz. “
“It doesn’t just endanger you in your house,” he said. “It puts your entire street and your entire community at risk.”
(Lifts £ 500 self-isolation payments to the fourth paragraph)