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A total social lockdown for London and parts of the north could be at stake if Covid infection rates do not decline.
Pubs, restaurants and bars would be forced to close for at least two weeks and households would be banned from gathering anywhere indoors under the new emergency plan.
Offices where employees cannot work from home will remain open, as will schools.
A total social lockdown for London and parts of the North could be at stake if Covid infection rates do not decline
Pubs, restaurants and bars would be forced to close for at least two weeks under the new proposed measures.
The social lockdown measures were part of plans presented to the UK government last week, according to a report in The Times.
However, the group’s ministers, led by the prime minister, had rejected them, fearing a backlash from Tory MPs and the public.
“The nation and the party were not ready for us to go any further last week,” a senior government source told the publication.
‘There was not a broad enough understanding of how substantial the second wave could be.
“Unlike the first lockdown, no one has seen images of body bags in Spain or France on television yet, which had a very powerful effect. You have to take people with you.
However, stricter measures will have to be taken on social interaction. They are unavoidable in some parts if you look at the numbers. ‘
Emergency measures could be imposed on Covid-19 hotspots, including Merseyside and the Northeast, starting this week.
Liverpool recorded 146.3 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people last week, down from 95.8 the previous week, while South Tyneside recorded 137.8 cases per 100,000 last week, down from 86.
London could also be placed in a total social lockdown if infection rates continue to rise, with one government figure describing the capital’s fate as “in equilibrium,” The Times reported.
Downing Street is reportedly hoping to avoid a national social lockdown, with infection rates low in the southwest and southeast of the country outside of London.
According to another conservative source, Michael Gove was the main voice pushing for new social restrictions, while Chancellor Rishi Sunak leads the opposing group in the cabinet as he pushes to keep as much of the economy open as possible.
It comes as new local closures, new restrictions and stiff new fines for failing to self-isolate take effect in parts of the UK on Monday.
The social lockdown measures were reportedly part of plans presented to the UK government last week.
People across England will be legally required to self-isolate from this week if they test positive for coronavirus or are contacted by the testing and tracing service.
If they don’t, they risk new fines starting at £ 1,000 and increasing up to £ 10,000 for repeat offenders or serious offenses, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
DHSC also said police will verify compliance in high-incidence areas and high-risk groups based on “local intelligence.”
Downing Street is reportedly hoping to avoid a national social lockdown, with low infection rates in the southwest and southeast of the country outside of London. Above, after work drinkers enjoy a pint outside The Market Porter pub in Borough Market
High-profile and ‘egregious’ cases of non-compliance will be investigated and prosecuted, while action will be taken based on ‘third party’ notices about individuals who have tested positive but are not self-isolating, the DHSC added.
But low-income people who are unable to work from home and have lost income as a result will also be eligible for a £ 500 retest and follow-up support payment, he added.
Under the new rules in England, wedding ceremonies will also be restricted to 15 people.
Meanwhile, three more council areas in South Wales will go into local lockdown starting at 6pm on Monday, the Welsh Government announced.
Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan will be covered by the restrictions, meaning that people will not be able to enter or leave the areas without a reasonable excuse.
Police will conduct spot checks and act on leads to enforce the strict new Covid-19 self-isolation rules starting today.
People ordered to self-quarantine after they or a contact tested positive for the virus face a knock on the door from officers to verify they are not leaving their home.
It comes amid a growing revolt by Conservative MPs over the way the Boris Johnson government is infringing on restricted freedoms to address the pandemic.
Noting a harsh crackdown, Interior Minister Priti Patel warned last night that ministers “will not allow rule-breakers to reverse the progress made so hard by the law-abiding majority.”
As of today, people across England are required by law to be quarantined for ten days if they test positive for Covid-19 or are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace.
Those who fail to isolate themselves, or employers who force staff to report to work, will be punished with fines of up to £ 10,000.
The police will be used to ‘verify compliance’ with the rules and will investigate whistleblowers’ claims that a person who should be in quarantine is in breach of the requirement.
