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THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT has been accused of ignoring its own scientists after documents showed that three weeks ago expert advisers recommended a “circuit breaker” lockout for England.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) suggested the immediate introduction of a national blockade lasting between two and three weeks to stop the rapid spread of the virus, and the British government did not act on advice described as “alarming” by Labor.
At home, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar previously suggested that a “circuit break” could be implemented, but Taoiseach Micheál Martin said at the weekend that it is not being considered at this time.
Sage’s document, dated September 21 and released just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his three-tier system of alert levels for England, said a package of interventions was needed to reverse the “exponential” rise. of the cases.
The document sets out a short list of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) that should be considered for “immediate” introduction, and also suggests that all university teaching should be online unless face-to-face teaching is “absolutely essential” at a time when that students were starting or returning to college.
First on the list was a brief blackout period known as a “breaker” to bring the incidence down, followed by a tip to work from home for everyone who can.
The third on the list was “prohibiting all contact within the home with members of other households (except members of a support bubble)”, and the fourth was the closure of all bars, restaurants, cafes, indoor gyms and personal services like hairdressers.
The final measure on the list was that all college and university teaching has to “be online unless face-to-face teaching is absolutely essential.”
Among those attending the Sept. 21 meeting, held through Zoom, were the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and Medical Director, Professor Chris Whitty.
The document says both local and national measures are needed, adding: “The measures should not be applied in too specific a geographic area.”
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “The revelations in this document are alarming.
“The fact that the prime minister decided to publish it an hour after his press conference is further proof that he is treating the British people with contempt.
“Labor previously warned that the restrictions announced by the prime minister may not be enough.
“The government now urgently needs to explain why it ignored its own scientists and what it will do to control the virus.”
Sage’s details emerged the same day Johnson warned that rising coronavirus cases and hospital admissions flash like “warnings on the dashboard of an airliner” when he established the three-tier system.
The new system in England will see areas classified into different categories labeled as medium, high or very high risk.
Source: PA Graphics
Merseyside pubs and bars will close unless they serve food and alcohol as part of a table meal, as the Liverpool city region moves to a ‘very high’ Covid alert level.
MPs will debate and vote on the measures on Tuesday and, if approved, the new tiered system will take effect on Wednesday.
At a press conference in Downing Street, Johnson said that nationwide cases had risen fourfold in four weeks, that there are more Covid-19 patients in UK hospitals than on March 23, when the country was shut down. , and deaths are increasing.
Under the new arrangements:
– The medium alert level will cover most of England and will consist of current national measures, including the six o’clock rule and a 10 pm curfew.
– The high alert level reflects interventions in many areas subject to local restrictions, preventing different households from mixing indoors.
– The very high alert level will mean, at a minimum, the closure of pubs and bars and the prohibition of social mixing indoors and private gardens.
Areas at the top level may impose additional restrictions, and in the Liverpool city region this will mean the closure of leisure centers, gyms, gambling shops and casinos.
Professor Whitty cautioned that the measures could become stricter if more are required to suppress the virus.
He said at the Downing Street press conference: “I am not sure, and no one is sure, that the third tier proposals for the highest rates … if we made the absolute base case, and nothing else, would be enough to overcome that.
“And that is why there is a lot of flexibility in level three for local authorities, guided by the directors of public health, to really move up that rank, so that they can do much more than the absolute base because the base is not enough. “
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Johnson said he did not want another national lockdown, but he also did not rule out one, adding that he would not impose such “extreme” measures “right now.”
He said authorities who place themselves on the “very high” alert level would get additional support from Whitehall, including the possibility of military assistance to support local services.
A billion pounds of new support was offered to local authorities in England, he added.
Johnson also said updated guidance would be released for those who are considered “clinically extremely vulnerable,” or those at higher risk of developing complications from Covid-19.
Currently, patients are not advised to protect themselves in any local area of England.
During the first wave of the pandemic, people considered clinically extremely vulnerable in England were advised to take extra precautions, also known as protection.
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