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LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told people on Tuesday (September 22) to work from home whenever possible and ordered bars and restaurants to close early to deal with a second wave of COVID-19 from rapid spread with restrictions lasting probably six months.
After government scientists warned that deaths may spike without urgent action, Johnson paused before another full lockdown as he did in March, but said further action could be taken if the disease is not suppressed.
“If all our actions fail to bring the R (reproduction rate) below one, then we reserve the right to deploy greater firepower with significantly greater restrictions,” he told parliament after emergency meetings with ministers and leaders. of the delegated governments of the United Kingdom.
“Your harmless cough could be someone else’s death sentence,” he warned.
Pedestrians wearing masks pass a sign for a COVID-19 testing center in Leyton, east London, on September 19, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas).
Just weeks after urging people to start returning to their workplaces, Johnson advised office workers to stay home if they could. He ordered all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues to close at 10pm starting Thursday and only table service was allowed.
“I’m sorry that this hurts a lot of companies that just bounce back,” he said.
READ: ‘Work from home’: Johnson begins shutting down Britain again as COVID-19 spreads
It was unclear whether the measures would be enough to tackle Britain’s second wave, which government scientists warned could reach 50,000 new cases a day by mid-October, but meant more pain for the world’s fifth-largest economy.
A waiter wearing a protective mask serves customers at tables outside a Soho restaurant in London on September 20, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas).
Masks will be required in more settings, there will be stricter enforcement of the rules and the military could be brought in to help free police, Johnson said.
Schools and universities will remain open.
READ: Normal could return in summer 2021 if COVID-19 vaccine succeeds: UK health minister
Fines
Businesses in violation of COVID-19 laws face fines of up to 10,000 pounds (US $ 13,000) or even closure, while people can be fined 200 pounds for not wearing a mask in the right place.
Johnson said it was frustrating for the law-abiding majority to see a few “blatantly defying the rules.”
A waiter wearing a protective mask serves customers at tables outside a Soho restaurant in London on September 20, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas).
When asked in parliament why Britain’s figures were worse than Germany and Italy, Johnson said: “There is an important difference between our country and many other countries in the world and that is that our country is a country that loves freedom … It is very difficult to ask the British population to uniformly obey the guidelines in whatever way is necessary. “
It was due to address the nation at 1900 GMT.
The UK already has the highest official death toll from COVID-19 in Europe, 41,788, while it is borrowing record amounts to pump emergency money through the ailing economy.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned that the “very unfortunate” escalation of COVID-19 cases threatened the economic outlook and said the central bank was carefully looking at how it could further support the economy.
A staff member cleans the tables outside a Soho café in Soho in London on September 20, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas)
Bar operator JD Wetherspoon said it could cut 400 to 450 jobs at sites at six airports, including London’s Heathrow and Gatwick, due to the large drop in passengers.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer urged the government not to end a licensing plan by the end of October, accusing it of losing control of the coronavirus crisis.
“We will not listen to those who say let’s let the virus tear itself apart, or those who urge a permanent shutdown,” Johnson said.
“We are taking decisive and appropriate action to balance saving lives and protecting jobs and livelihoods.”
READ: Britain is at tipping point of COVID-19, says health minister
Johnson said parliament could consider and discuss new measures put in place to address the surge in COVID-19 cases early next week.
Trying to avoid criticism from lawmakers, including some in his Conservative Party, that the government is introducing restrictions without consulting them, Johnson told them: “Parliament should and will debate these issues and … it will be time early next year. week … for a full discussion on these measures. “
A worker wearing a mask stands near a sign for the test and trace service of the National Health Service of Great Britain in east London, on September 17, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas).
Johnson also said Britain is better prepared for a second wave of COVID-19 than the first, but also noted that complacency about the risk of infection could be the country’s downfall.
“After six months of restrictions, it will be tempting to wait for the threat to fade and to seek comfort in the belief that if you have avoided the virus so far, you are somehow immune,” he told lawmakers. “I have to say that it is that kind of complacency that could be our undoing.”
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