UK GOVT LOOKS TO IMPOSE SHORT TWO-WEEK CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCKDOWN: REPORTS

Sun 19 December 2021:

If UK media reports are to be believed, the British government seems to be looking to impose a short two-week circuit breaker lockdown.

The measure may be taken after Christmas celebrations to keep a check on the spread of Omicron variant of Covid.

The government seems to be in the process of drafting regulations of the lockdown currently, the reports said citing a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), whose details have been leaked.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already been presented with numerous options by the advisory group under Plan C, which range from “mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown”.

“If the aim is to reduce the levels of infection in the population and prevent hospitalisations reaching these levels, more stringent measures would need to be implemented very soon,” the minutes of SAGE meeting said, as reported by BBC.

As per the experts, the timing of stringent measures is vital as any delay would greatly reduce the effectiveness of such initiatives, said the BBC report.

The circuit-breaker would would ban indoor mixing and mean pubs and restaurants being allowed to open outdoors only.

The Times has reported the two-week circuit breaker plan and also the rules that would be in place, BirminghamLive reports.

Plans are being drawn up for a two week circuit breaker after Christmas, which would ban indoor mixing and have the rule of six outdoors, according to reports.

The two week circuit breaker would mean pubs and restaurants are allowed to open outdoors only, The Times and Financial Times are reporting.

Weddings would be limited to 15 people and funerals 30 during the potential circuit breaker, the reports also claim.
The Times reports that ministers are preparing draft plans.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously refused to be drawn on the prospect of further restrictions before Christmas.

“I’ve said already that people should be cautious, but what we have also said is that people should decide what they want to do. It is a matter for their personal choice,” he said.

“We are not closing things down but we do think people need to be cautious.”

On a visit to a vaccination centre in Hillingdon, west London, on Friday, he said: “We are seeing a considerable wave coming through and people have got to be prepared and they have got to understand what it entails.”

Asked about conflicting messages from the Government and its advisers on socialising over the Christmas break, Mr Johnson said: “What both Chris Whitty and I are saying is that there is a big wave of Omicron coming through.

“People need to be prudent. You need to think about your budget of risk.”

It comes as the UK reported more than 90,000 new Covid cases in another record daily total on Friday.

A Government spokesperson said: “The Government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data and we’ll keep our measures under review as we learn more about this variant.”

Photo: Oxford Street, London.

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