March 2021 could be very similar to March 2020
Government ministers are considering imposing even tighter restrictions to the current ‘lockdown’, as the government struggles to keep the public in line with new rules, according to reports.
New restrictions under consideration include banning people from different households exercising together and making it compulsory to wear a face mask in a work office, amid fears many businesses have begun to slack off in that regard.
Two government meetings were held over the weekend in which ministers discusses ways in which they could make the current lockdown more effective in reducing the number of Covid-19 cases.
Videos and photos circulating on social media at the weekend of people gathering at seafronts are said to have raised concerns.
The Telegraph were told by a government source that the current rules, which allow two people from separate households to exercise together, are being stretched beyond their limit and “being used as an excuse for people to go for a coffee in the park with their friends”, adding: “It may be we tighten up on things like that.”
ITV’s Nick Dixon said on Good Morning Britain this morning that images of queues of ambulances have reportedly shocked cabinet ministers into thinking about tightening the restrictions. Nurseries could also be closed and it could become compulsory to wear masks outside as well as inside.
The government is said to be on the brink of introducing tighter restrictions including no support bubbles.
It comes after ministers fear people aren’t adhering to the lockdown.@NickdixonITV is at Epsom racecourse where a new mass-vaccination centre opens today. pic.twitter.com/2oLM8LDQfR
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) January 11, 2021
“I don’t want to speculate,” health secretary Matt Hancock said.
“The most important message is not whether the government will further strengthen the rules, the most important thing is that people stay at home and follow the rules that we’ve got.”
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty has warned that the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS, with 30,000 people current hospitalised by Covid-19, compared to 18,000 in April 2020.
Stay at home.
