Fears of winter lockdown as No10 says it will ‘take further steps’ if needed to beat rising Covid cases
DOWNING Street today warned ministers were ready to take the nation back into another lockdown over winter if they had to.
The PM's spokesperson said they kept all emergency measures under review in case drastic action was needed to stop spiralling cases and hospitalisations.
It came after the PM sparked fury among his own backbenchers with plans to extend the draconian Covid powers for another six months.
He will keep the legal underpinning for restrictions in place in case he needs to use them in the coming months.
Another shutdown would destroy the UK's economy at just a time where it's starting to recover post-pandemic.
But No10 stressed the huge stonking success of Britain's vaccine programme means we are one of the most free and open nations now.
Booster vaccines for the vulnerable are expected in the coming months too, and a decision on vaccinating teenagers is expected within weeks.
The PM's spokesperson said today when grilled on the extension: "With regards to what comes next we need to carefully monitor the situation.
"As a responsible government, we retain the ability to take further steps if necessary but it is thanks to significant defences of vaccination programme that we are able to be one of the most open societies in Europe.
"And we will continue to push forward with vaccination programmes and that remains the case."
They previously said it would be "irresponsible" to let the powers expire.
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The vote on extending them is set to be one of the first major parliamentary battle after Parliament returns from recess today.
Boris wants to keep the Coronavirus Act enshrined in law until March 2022, when it will automatically lapse after two years in force.
The legislation gives authorities and police sweeping powers to restrict public gatherings, close premises, and force people to self-isolate.
But it also underpins pandemic safety nets like protecting renters from eviction and guaranteeing sick-pay for people in quarantine.
Thirty angry Tory MPs rebelled during the last vote on extending the powers back in March.
And lockdown-sceptics believe an even bigger number will come over to their side this time around.
Today furious MP Marcus Fysh called on ministers to "stand up for freedom, for choice, for opportunity" and slammed plans to extend the legislation.
But the PM's majority is unlikely to be threatened because Labour is set to support him.
Tory MP Mark Harper, who leads the Covid Recovery Group, said there's no need to renew the "draconian" legislation.
He told the FT: "Our vaccine rollout has been a huge success.
"We have seen a dramatic and welcome fall in people suffering from serious disease and death from Covid as a result.
“We are going to have to learn to live with this virus. What justification can there be for extending these measures?"
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Ex Cabinet minister David Davis added: "The Coronavirus Act contains some of the most draconian powers ever introduced in the UK.
"Thankfully, the crisis point of the pandemic has passed. So it is now time to roll back the extensive powers unwisely handed over to the State."