FIGHTING BACK
Brits suspected of having coronavirus could be held for up to six weeks under new emergency laws
PEOPLE suspected of being infected with Covid-19 could be held for up to six weeks under new powers being proposed by the Government.
Patients would be initially detained for 14 days, but that can be extended if doctors still have concerns.
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Boris Johnson will try and push through the emergency legislation in the next few days to give him the powers to do whatever it takes to tackle the spread of the deadly bug.
NHS staff and police will have the power to detain people for up to 24 hours and force them to be tested for Covid-19.
The sweeping laws give them to power to order them not to attend work or to stay in isolation, or ban them from travelling.
And they will face a £1000 fine if they don't comply.
The 329-page bill will allow for more phone and video hearings in court so the justice system can keep going.
Officials will be able to suspend all plane and ship arrivals at airports or ports or there aren’t enough staff to maintain border security.
Morgues could be expanded and inquests stripped back in order to try and deal with extra deaths.
It also enacts pension changes so retired doctors and nurses can come back into the NHS easily without their retirement cash suffering.
The emergency powers will be able to be "switched on" and "switched off" if and when needed - for up to two years.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are doing everything we can to protect lives and support the NHS, guided by the best scientists and clinicians in the world.
“The new measures we will be introducing in the Emergency Coronavirus Bill this week will only be used when it is absolutely necessary and must be timed to maximise their effectiveness, but crucially they give the government the powers it needs to protect lives."
The plans also included:
- Detaining people under the mental health act will only need one doctor's permission, not two
- Any doctors will be able to sign death certificates
- An army of volunteers will be able to get paid time off work to help the NHS
GATHERINGS FORCED TO SHUT
Ministers will also have the power to shut down gatherings if they think it could be spreading the virus.
That could mean anything from a house party to a concert.
And it will give them the power to close establishments like pubs and restaurants too.
ISOLATE SUSPECTED SICK BRITS
Anyone suspected of being ill will be able to be detained by doctors or police.
They can force them to isolate themselves, stay away from other people or their place of work - and may have to reveal places where they have been recently.
A £1000 fine can be slapped for failing to give the right information, or refusing to take a test.
Anyone who has been to an infected area in the last 14 days could be held for up to 24 hours.
AN ARMY OF NHS VOLUNTEERS
The bill introduces a new form of unpaid leave for the NHS to recruit an army of volunteers.
They will be compensated by loss of earnings and given expenses too.
This will help to safeguard essential services that could be at risk due to a hiked demand on the health service.
NHS STAFF TO RETURN
New powers will be given so anyone qualified can get their paperwork to practise quickly.
Paramedics, biomedical scientists, clinical scientists and practitioners will get extra help.
AIRPORTS COULD BE SHUT
Airports, seaports or even the Eurostar could be shut under today's new laws if there's a significant risk of being unable to keep borders safe.
At first it would be for just six hours - but could be extended.
That will be a last resort for Matt Hancock, the laws make clear.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
The laws also give the powers for ministers to officially close schools or childcare providers.
SICK PAY
Brits will now be able to get Statutory Sick Pay from day one rather than day for - a measure previously announced by the Government.
It comes as:
- No10 insisted today that draconian lockdown measure that keep people in their homes were NOT on the cards
- Pubs closures in the capital are on the cards to stop the spread further
- The UK death toll hit 137 today - with more than 2,600 cases confirmed
- Schools will shut from tomorrow evening - with exams cancelled
Downing Street denied that the capital would be put into lockdown - with any restrictions on travel or transport.
They said Britain will never see the draconian measures like in France and Italy where people are unable to leave their homes without good reason or paperwork.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London."
London was not being shut or cut off, but the Government wants to try and ease pressure on the NHS by enforcing the rules better.
But they said new social distancing measures for London were on the cards.
This is likely to include forcing pubs, restaurants and cafes to close.
So far 953 people have been infected in London - more than 40 per cent of all confirmed cases in the country.
Troops are not expected to deployed on the streets to ensure public order, either, the PM's spokesperson stressed.
However, London's transport network is expected to be scaled back in the coming days, and 40 stations are set to close for the meantime.
Schools will shut their doors from Friday and may not re0-open until September.
Ministers will reveal more about how kids will get their exam grades without sitting tests in the coming days.
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MOST READ IN POLITICS
Here's some more information about what to do if you lose your job due to coronavirus.
And here are your rights to sick pay if you have to self-isolate.
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