The waitress brings a protective face-covering drink for customers in the late summer sun on the outdoor tables in Soho, central London on September 20, 2020.
Daniel Lil-Olivas | AFP | Getty Images
LONDON – The UK could lead a second, shorter “mini” lockdown for two weeks to combat a resurgence in coronavirus cases, with a possible curfew at 10am and other measures, including fines.
According to the BBC, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering another national lockdown to act as a “circuit-breaker” to stop the spread of the virus. With nearly 1,000 new cases reported on Sunday, plans are afoot to crack down on new infections every day.
The government’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, is expected to give a briefing on the state of the epidemic during the London period at 11am on Monday, saying the UK is at a “critical stage”. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday that the UK was at a “tipping point”.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Hancock said “people have become more relaxed during the summer” but to comply with the rules “now is the moment when everyone needs to return.”
The government announced this week that anyone ordering self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus from Sept. 28 could face a 10,000 (12 12,960) fine.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a tougher ban in London, warning that the city could be a few days behind other areas in northern England that are under local lockdown. Khan is meeting with council leaders on Monday and they are expected to recommend a 10 a.m. curfew in the capital, which will see cafes, pubs and rest restaurants rent reduced business hours, and more people working from home if they can.
‘Expect more sanctions’
The UK is not alone in seeing a growing infection in the larger European economy, which has seen a similar dramatic increase in cases since the lifting of restrictions on public life several months ago. The World Health Organization warned last week that “a very serious situation was looming over us in Europe” and that growing cases should act as a “wake-up call”.
Analysts at Dutsch Bank, led by Jim Reid, warned on Monday morning that “much more control is expected in the coming days and weeks, especially in Europe.”
“The fact that the virus is already spreading so fast is a big concern as we turned to very hot temperatures in the UK (and most of Europe) in late September. It doesn’t look like the casualties will be as big. They were in the first wave. As an issue, but it is really difficult to understand what the strategies of the governments are at the moment, ”he added.
“They don’t all want a very large-scale lockdown, but they also don’t want the virus to spread. It’s not easy for both of them to solve and as such, it will be a very difficult few months. If the numbers appear to be already high in September.”
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