LOCKED UP
Third national lockdown likely needed to combat mutant Covid strain, SAGE warns, but gov rules out Tier 5 for now
A THIRD national lockdown is likely to be needed to crack down on the mutant Covid strain, SAGE has warned.
Freshly revealed documents from last week recommended that a fresh push must happen or cases would continue to spiral out of control.
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Experts warned that they had a high level of confidence that extending Tier 4, making changes to schools, and putting more travel restrictions in place - both within the UK and abroad - would be required to get a grip on the virus.
The comments came as part of a meeting held on the new variant on December 23.
Since then Tier 4 has been extended twice - now covering three quarters of England - and schools reopening has been delayed.
Experts also said that because they don't know how the virus is being spread more easily, "enhanced mitigation measures are likely to be necessary".
Ministers should reconsider the 2m rule, and look at asking people to wear masks in offices, classrooms and crowded outdoor spaces too.
A new strategy should be launched to urge the nation to cut their indoor contacts down to as few people as possible.
The new documents also revealed that even if schools closed, it may not be enough still to get the R below one again - thanks to how easily the new variant can transmit.
It comes after a SAGE doctor warned today that a national lockdown by the end of January is likely.
Doctor Mike Tildesley told BBC Radio 4: "Cases are rising in a really concerning way, so I suspect that unfortunately we will see a ramping-up even further of restrictions, probably more of the country being in Tier 4 or ultimately probably a national lockdown before we get to the end of January."
However, Gavin Williamson ruled out a Tier 5 lockdown for now, which may see all schools closed as an extra step to stop the new strain - which is spreading even faster than the old ones.
It comes as:
- The Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved by regulators yesterday- with a million doses a week to be rolled out from next week
- Ministers said they would prioritise giving everyone the first jab and give the second within 12 weeks
- 50,000 cases and more than 900 deaths were recorded - the highest death figure since April
- A major incident was declared in Essex over Covid as hospitals struggle to cope with demand
- 20million more people were plunged into Tier 4 today
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday he won't introduce Tier 5 - despite scientists and ministers piling on the pressure for a tougher lockdown.
He instead urged Brits to follow the rules in areas of high infection rates as hospitals face unprecedented demand for beds amid an increase in coronavirus cases.
Asked whether the Government is considering a full lockdown, Gavin Williamson told the Today programme: "We're obviously creating a great amount of space for the whole public health body in terms of dealing with this pandemic.
"Because, with children's return to secondary schools being pushed back that bit further, coupled with this mass testing regime, we believe we are putting in the actions needed for schools to be able to be safely returned but also play our part in beating this virus."
He later told Sky News: "We're taking the absolute right approach to pursue the tiering system.
"This is a robust approach, so I'm confident that we won't be moving into a national lockdown situation because the tiering structure is the right place to be."
The PM has not ruled out a third national lockdown as hospital patient numbers rise above the April peak while the death toll has passed 70,000.
It was announced yesterday millions of schoolkids in the worst-hit Covid areas will stay home for at least an extra two weeks after the Christmas holidays.
Many people were left scrabbling around trying to find the list to see if their kids would be back at school or not - with some furious at the differences in their local area.
But, in nearly 50 Tier 4 areas where infection rates are highest, ALL schools will have to close, including primaries, it was confirmed tonight.
That includes most of London, Essex, Kent, and a handful of areas in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Sussex - but key workers and vulnerable pupils can still attend.
This is a robust approach, so I'm confident that we won't be moving into a national lockdown situation because the tiering structure is the right place to be.
Gavin Williamson
These will stay closed until at least January 18 - but will be reviewed every two weeks.
Elsewhere across England - in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 and some lesser-hit Tier 4 areas - primary schools will return on January 4 as planned.
The new mutant strain of coronavirus has caused most of the country to be plunged into Tier 4.
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It is more infectious and has sparked a rapid rise in cases in the past few weeks.
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Referring to the new tier measures in light of the variation, Mr Johnson said last night: "At this critical moment, with the prospect of freedom within reach, we've got to redouble our efforts to contain the virus.
"No-one regrets these measures more bitterly than I do, but we must take firm action now."
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Tier 4 lockdowns may last until April, Boris Johnson warns