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LONDON: The UK is at a tipping point on COVID-19, Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Sunday (September 20), warning that a second national lockdown could be imposed if people do not follow the rules of the government designed to stop the spread of the virus. .
COVID-19 cases have risen dramatically in recent weeks to more than 4,000 a day, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling it a second wave and stricter lockdown measures were introduced in areas across the country.
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“The nation is facing a tipping point and we have a choice,” Hancock told Sky News. “The choice is for everyone to follow the rules … or we will have to take more action.”
Hancock later told the BBC that a second national lockdown was a possible option.
“I’m not ruling it out, I don’t want to see it,” he said.
Johnson announced fines of up to £ 10,000 (US $ 12,900) on Saturday for people in England who break new rules requiring them to isolate themselves if they have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19.
READ: UK risks a new lockdown as COVID-19 cases hit their highest level since May
In addition to stricter rules on social gatherings across the country, several cities and regions in Britain have imposed ‘local closures’, further limiting when, where and how many people can meet socially.
When asked about comments by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said on Friday that new restrictions were increasingly likely in the capital, Hancock said: “I have had discussions this week with the Mayor of London, and the teams They are meeting today to discuss more about what might be necessary. “
Hancock was also asked on Times Radio about the possibility of Londoners being told to work from home later this week, saying: “Well, I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said he would support any measures the government presents, but criticized the government’s testing system for not having the capacity to cope with the surge in demand as schools return.
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