#coronavirus #COVID19 Stronger coronavirus restrictions could be announced today – The Argus
#coronavirus #COVID19
STRONGER coronavirus restrictions could be announced today.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned this morning that the government is « prepared to take the action that is necessary » to curb rising numbers of Covid cases across the UK.
He also pointed to the previous « rapid » introduction of Covid measures, using the introduction of Tier 4 « within just over 24 hours » as an example.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, host Piers Morgan compared the current situation to March – when the UK was first placed under a national lockdown.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government willtake the action necessary to stop the spread of a new strain of coronavirus
Mr Morgan said: « We waited and waited and waited until it was too late.
« Surely given the rate of transmission here – you’re the Health Secretary, you are looking at the same graphs that I am – you must share my horror at what is happening.
« Surely we know that the only truly effective, blunt implement at this stage is to do a national lockdown, isn’t it?
« I don’t see any other way that you’re going to get a lid on this variant. »
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan
Mr Hancock responded: « It’s not only about the measures we put in place Piers, but it’s also about how everybody responds to them.
« On Good Morning Britain you have been unbelievably responsible throughout this crisis in explaining to people how important it is – because it’s on all of us, right?
« Ultimately, the reason this virus gets from one person to another is when you get into close physical proximity.
« That’s why just staying apart and staying at home, unless you have a very good reason not to, are so important to control the virus. »
West Street in Brighton on New Year’s Eve, with the city under Tier 4 restrictions
But Mr Morgan claimed that « nobody really understands » the existing tier system of coronavirus restrictions, saying that « at least with a national lockdown there is clarity ».
Mr Hancock said: « We are prepared to take the action that is necessary, and sometimes very rapidly.
« When we found out that this new variant spreads so much faster, we moved within just over 24 hours to bring in Tier 4.
« We look at this data all the time. »
