A new three-tier lockdown is being planned for England, The Guardian reported, citing leaked government documents which revealed tougher measures that could be implemented locally or nationally if the government fails to get COVID-19 cases under control.
The new lockdown would potentially entail harsher restrictions including the closure of pubs and a ban on all social contact outside household groups, the newspaper said.
According to the documents seen by The Guardian, the draft plan called the ‘COVID-19 Proposed Social Distancing Framework’ is designed to simplify the existing localized restrictions.
The plans have not yet been finalised and signed off by No.10 officials and several of the measures could still be relaxed, according to the newspaper.
Britain gradually came out of a national lockdown over the summer, but many areas including major cities such as Manchester and Glasgow are currently subject to local restrictions.
In an interview on Sunday British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied a suggestion that the local restrictions were not working given infection rates were still rising in the affected areas and there was no end in sight to the measures.
The three-tier system is aimed at improving people’s compliance with the rules, the Guardian said, stating that many citizens do not have a clear understanding of the rules that apply to them.
The levels are intended to be ‘minimum standards’ and specific local circumstances would also be taken into account, the newspaper said, citing a government source.
The government had last week announced a tightening of restrictions on socializing in northeast England, in response to high and increasing COVID-19 infection rates in the region – the latest in a series of local measures.
British finance minister Rishi Sunak warned that a further lockdown would cripple both the economy and society, in an interview with The Sun newspaper, stating that lockdowns have a very strong economic and social impact.
“Having a difficult economy has an impact on both our ability to fund public services like the NHS but also on individual people’s long-term health outcomes,” Sunak said, according to the newspaper .
Sunak spoke about his dissatisfaction with the 10 pm curfew on pubs and restaurants saying that, “Of course it’s frustrating. I know it’s difficult and wish we didn’t have to do these things.”
He added that ministers were divided on the issue but encouraged Brits to abide by the rules.
Sunak had last month announced a new jobs support scheme that would help firms employ people on shorter hours, but warned he could not save every business or job.
The British government launched a new employment programme on Monday aimed at helping those left jobless due to the COVID-19 pandemic to get back into work.
Sunak in his interview expressed full support for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying that Johnson faces difficult decisions and “awful trade-offs”.
“The fact that he can do it and maintain that sense of optimism is extraordinary,” he added.
Sunak also defended Britain‘s Eat Out to Help Out scheme stating that the scheme helped to save two million jobs and kick-start the economy.
He added that he would not remain silent in his fight against future lockdowns and implored his fellow ministers to strive for normality in the face of COVID-19, according to the newspaper.
REUTERS