Photographer: Tolga Akmen / AFP / Getty Images
Photographer: Tolga Akmen / AFP / Getty Images
The UK’s third coronavirus exclusion is expected to endure as the government has warned it is too early to consider easing restrictions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel have not reiterated previous assurances that the UK will return to normal by April, even though the mass vaccination program has continued to expand to 5 million people.
Instead, the government has focused on strengthening compliance with current restrictions, amid concerns that too many people are still violating the rules, making it more difficult to control the spread of the disease.
UK considers paying people to stay home amid transgressions
Ministers are considering making payments of £ 500 ($ 683) to anyone who tests positive for Covid, to persuade more people with symptoms to come forward for testing, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday. The policy, which would cost about £ 2bn a month, would be designed to overcome people’s fears of losing income if forced by a positive test to isolate themselves, citing a 19-year document January.
Patel has announced that new £ 800 ($ 1,097) police fines will be imposed on people caught attending house parties. Asked whether the public should book summer holidays, she said the advice now is to stay home.
“It’s way too early to say or even speculate when we can lift restrictions,” Patel said. “This country remains in the grip of a pandemic.”
Summer
Johnson was earlier asked whether the closure would last until the summer, and did not rule it out, only warning that the new coronavirus strain was’ much more contagious’ and that the UK was facing ‘which is undoubtedly difficult going to be a few weeks ahead. ”
Their comments point to a gloomier outlook than just days ago when ministers said it hope to start opening up the economy in the country first half of March.
Johnson is under pressure from members of his Conservative party who are urging him to put forward a plan to ease the closure once the government reaches its goal of vaccinating the 15 million most vulnerable people, a goal he wants by February 15 reach. .
The UK suffered its worst day in the pandemic on Wednesday, with more than 1,800 deaths recorded within 24 hours. Boris Johnson’s chief scientific adviser has warned that some hospitals now look ‘like a war zone’. Laura Wright reported.
“Vaccinations will, of course, bring immunity to Covid, but it must also provide immunity to locks and restrictions,” legislator Tory Mark Harper, chairman of the party’s so-called Covid Recovery Group, said in a statement. “This cycle of barriers and restrictions is causing great damage.”
Rules
Shops, restaurants and schools were closed and people were told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. The restrictions threaten to push the economy into another recession, after suffering the worst decline in three centuries.
Northern Ireland’s devolved government has announced an extension of the region’s closure until 5 March.
The latest data in the UK showed that 1,299 people died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, which rose to 95,829 in total, the highest death toll in Europe. It had a succession of records of both new cases and daily deaths.
Read more: Why the mutated Coronavirus variants are so worrying: QuickTake
Patel said that although most people oblook according to the rules, exhibits some ‘irresponsible behavior’ that poses a significant threat to public health ‘.
Penalties for party attendance will double for each further offense to a maximum fine of £ 6,400, she said. Party organizers have already imposed £ 10,000 fines.
Read more: UK has now given more than 5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine
The new enforcement action applies to all gatherings of more than 15 people discovered by the police, as ministers become tougher against those who violate the restrictions on closure.
Vin Diwakar, the medical director of the National Health Service for London, said the UK was facing its biggest public health crisis since World War II, comparing the breach of the rules by hosting or attending large parties as’ to turn on a light in the middle of an eclipse in the Blitz. ”
“It’s not just putting you in danger in your home,” he said. “It endangers your entire street and your entire community.”
(Raise £ 500 for self-insulation after fourth paragraph)