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England’s one-month shutdown could be extended beyond December 2 if necessary, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove told Sky News.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the conservative frontbencher also defended the reintroduction of restrictions at the national level, having previously rejected them, arguing that “the situation has been worse than anyone expected.”
He warned that the NHS would be overwhelmed unless action was taken.
From Thursday to December 2, people in England will only be able to leave their homes for specific reasons, such as education, work or grocery shopping.
Gove said the government would review the data during November, adding that he expected the infection rate to “drop significantly” early next month.
But when asked if the national blockade could be extended, he replied: “Yes.”
He said: “We want to be in a position where we can, and I think this is likely to be the case, have an approach where, if we reduce the infection rate enough, we can reduce measures at the national level and also to regional level “. .
“Because the regional approach is one that, whenever possible, we want to adopt because again we recognize that it may be the case in the future that having reduced R below 1, having reduced national restrictions, we can see a specific increase in areas that will require specific regional measures. “
Gove added: “It would be” silly “to predict what will happen to the pandemic during the next four weeks.
“With a virus this malignant, and with its ability to move so rapidly, it would be foolish to predict with absolute certainty what will happen four weeks from now, when in the course of the last two weeks its rate, its contagiousness and its malignancy has grown.
“So, of course, we will review what needs to be done, but we have a clear plan for the next four weeks (period) to support the economy and protect the NHS.”
Also speaking to Sky News, former chief science adviser Sir Mark Walport described the latest shutdown in England as “definitely” better late than never, but said it was “obviously a possibility” that the restrictions could last longer than the first shutdown. .
He told Ridge: “The blockage is not as severe as it was the first time, so the only way to know is to see how quickly new cases start to drop.
“As we know, there is a lag between the development of the case, the hospitalization and the horrible consequences of a serious illness or death.”
“This time it is unlikely to go down as fast as it did during the first shutdown because we have schools open.”
When asked if the new lockdown could be longer than the spring one, Sir Mark said: “Obviously it is a possibility, yes, and the only way to know it will be by counting the cases as accurately as possible.”
In announcing the measures, Boris Johnson said there was “no alternative” to a second lockdown.
He said that “no responsible prime minister” could ignore the growing number of coronavirus infections in England.
And he warned that without action, there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the first wave of the spring pandemic.
Schools, colleges and universities will remain open, while those unable to work from home, such as construction or manufacturing workers, will be encouraged to continue to go to their workplaces.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will close throughout the country, although they may offer take-out and home delivery services.
Non-essential shops, hair salons, and entertainment venues will also be closed.
