[ad_1]
It is “too early to tell” whether another national shutdown will be needed after Christmas, according to a senior minister.
George Eustice said “nothing can be ruled out” when asked by Sky News if the “stay-at-home” measures could be re-enacted to maintain coronavirus under control.
The environment secretary also admitted that it may be as late as “next summer” until “we can all begin to return to normal”, depending on a vaccine.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Minister ‘cannot rule out’ third confinement
Tomorrow there will be a crucial vote in parliament on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s tier system and the attempt to return to a regional rules approach from December 2.
It faces deep unhappiness from many backbenchers about how many areas have moved to Level 3, and Sky News estimates that more than 60 have made their concerns public.
Boris Johnson is under fire for the amount of areas he has placed on Level 3
Eustice admitted that there were “up to 100” potential rebels, meaning the government may have to rely on Sir Keir Starmer’s backing.
The Labor leader, who is expected to hold talks with England’s medical director Professor Chris Whitty, has not yet said whether he will support the plans.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green told Sky News that the opposition party “has always supported sensible public health restrictions” and will back the plan “with adequate guarantees.”
In an attempt to appease conservative MPs, Johnson agreed to their demands to publish impact assessments that will detail the health, economic and social ramifications of the tier system.
And he said the Commons will get another vote on February 3 to decide whether to extend it.
Impact assessments for the harder levels will be released before Tuesday’s vote.
When the tiers go into effect on Wednesday, 99% of England will enter Tier 2 or 3, with strict restrictions on bars and restaurants and a ban on households mixing indoors.
However, the rules will be relaxed for five days Christmas – December 23-27 – to allow three households to “bubble up” and celebrate together.
Scientists advising the government have warned that it could lead to growth in COVID-19 Infections
England is in its second national lockdown
Eustice played down the threat that a third shutdown would be needed later, but could not rule out the possibility.
“As long as we keep the tiered approach for as long as it takes, I don’t think it’s necessary to go back to another full block,” he told Kay Burley.
“Nothing can be ruled out because this is a rapidly developing situation … It is always difficult to predict what will happen.”
But Katie Pickett, owner of Pinky’s hair salon in Gillingham, Kent, cautioned that businesses that have avoided bending during the first and second closings may not last a third.
“Who knows who will survive a third blockade? I think only the strongest,” he told Sky News.
“There are no people as lucky as us … but we have taken such a blow anyway.”
Other 215 coronavirus-related deaths in the UK were announced on Sunday, bringing the total to 58,845.
