Representative image | Photo credit: IANS
Britain’s capital will be placed under the highest level of coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday amid a “very sharp” spike in COVID-19 cases in London and its surrounding areas and a new coronavirus variant identified as responsible for the “faster spread”, the UK government announced in Parliament on Monday.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs in the House of Commons that “swift and decisive action” was needed as the doubling rate of the deadly virus has reached just seven days in many of these areas.
Level 3 restrictions, the highest level in England’s three-tier system, mean a near complete lockdown, and people can meet with those with whom they do not live alone in outdoor settings and hospitality venues that must close except for takeout and delivery.
“A new variant of coronavirus has been identified in the UK, which may be associated with the more rapid spread in south-east England,” Hancock said.
“We do not know to what extent this is due to the new strain, but whatever its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action which, unfortunately, is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is launched. We must act.” Now to change the curve? Because when the virus moves quickly, we must too, “he said.
The minister said that experts had identified more than 1,000 cases with the variant, predominantly in southern England. “Cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas and the numbers are increasing rapidly. Similar variants have been identified in other countries in recent months,” he said, adding that the World Health Organization has been notified of the variant and that it is unlikely to cause more serious illness than other variants of the coronavirus.
He stressed that mobile testing and community testing are also expanding, with another 67 local authorities undergoing community testing this week to help areas “downgrade” and return closer to normal life.
Referring to the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine launch currently underway, Hancock said that thanks to science “help is on the way,” but “this is not over yet.”
Monday’s announcement means that even before Wednesday’s formal tier system review date, Greater London, South and West Essex and South Hertfordshire will all be placed at Level 3 starting at 0001 GMT. Wednesday morning.
