Lockdown measures could be tightened further within ‘two weeks’ if the ‘rule of six’ doesn’t work.
Earlier reports have speculated that the government is considering a national 10pm curfew, with pubs forced to shut early, but now a leading scientific advisor has warned that ‘lockdown is the only thing that we know works’, when speaking on ITV.
They added: “I think that if we want to keep schools open, we probably have to give serious consideration to a wide range of other measures to stop a major second wave.
“And we have to think about doing that right now – which we are starting to do.”
A member of SAGE (the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) also added: “My big worry now is that we might be too late again to avert a major second wave.
“If we wait for deaths to go up again before taking decisive action we will be in trouble again.”
A member of the government has also said that ‘there is no possibility of us waiting for the death rate to rise before we act’, according to Metro.
Government sources have said that further measures are still being considered if the new ‘rule of six’ fails to reduce the coronavirus rate.
Curfew rules could be similar to those already in place in Bolton, which sees bars and other venues close between 10pm and 5am.
Restaurants in the borough are also only permitted to sell takeaways, as the Greater Manchester borough became the area with the highest infection rate in England.
Furthermore, those in Bolton cannot socialise with anyone outside of their household.
The Mirror has reported that ex-WHO expert Anthony Costello tweeted ‘Chris Whitty is advising PM for a two week national lockdown’.
Professor Whitty has not responded to the claims but Costello later tweeted: “I’ve been told by another insider I respect that Chris Whitty does not support a 2 week lockdown, so I’m pleased to correct the record.”
Health Minster Edawrd Argar also insisted: “It is not something I have heard from Chris or that I have seen in my capacity from Chris.”
The government are reportedly sticking to plans to put restrictions in local areas, as a second lockdown would be ‘disastrous for the UK economy’.
MPs at the Commons Liaison Committee asked the PM if the country could afford a second lockdown. Johnson replied: “I don’t want a second national lockdown – I think it would be completely wrong for this country and we are going to do everything in our power to prevent it.”
He added: “And can we afford it? I very much doubt that the financial consequences would be anything but disastrous, but we have to make sure that we defeat the disease by the means that we have set out.
“So when I see people arguing against the rule of six or saying that the Government is coming in too hard on individual liberties and so on – I totally understand that and I sympathise with that, but we must, must defeat this disease.”
Speaking to Sky News, Health Minister Edward Argar further dampened Mr Costello’s claims of a lockdown. He said: “It is not something I have seen within the department.
“The Prime Minister has been very clear on this. He doesn’t want to see another national lockdown. He wants to see people abiding by the regulations and making the local lockdowns work.”