BORIS Johnson will decide if all of England will be plunged back into a strict national lockdown that could last for months at crunch talks today.
The PM – who is currently facing calls for another full-scale shutdown from Labour – has already admitted the current tier system will get even tougher.
And in hours he’ll meet officials to decide whether the mutant strain of coronavirus surging through the country will mean a return to a March-style lockdown, with schools shut, non-essential shops shuttered and most travel banned.
Cabinet sources say they expect the Government’s ‘Covid-O’ committee, which makes decisions on restrictions, will meet to decide on the next steps to take, the Daily Mail reports.
Mr Johnson is expected to make an assessment of the latest infection numbers by Wednesday that will include the first signs of the effect of easing social distancing over Christmas.
Discussions have already begun on the return of shielding, and a further announcement on school closures is expected this week, the Telegraph reports.
The PM has previously warned Brits they’ll face tougher rules in the coming weeks and refused to rule out ‘Tier 5’ restrictions or a full national shutdown.
He said we need to be “realistic” about the pace of which the new variant is spreading across the country, but did not reveal any imminent new measures.
Today, Sir Keir Starmer said the virus is now “clearly out of control” and urged Mr Johnson to announce a new lockdown tomorrow.
Asked if he was calling for a full shutdown across England, he told Sky News: “Nationwide lockdown.
“The Prime Minister is hinting that that’s going to happen but he’s delaying again and we can’t afford that again.”
He said the virus is “clearly out of control”.
“The Prime Minister is hinting that there are tougher national restrictions to come in two or three weeks. That delay has been the source of so many problems,” he said.
“It is inevitable more schools are going to close, but the more important thing in a way is the national restrictions that need to come in in the next 24 hours.”
Elsewhere, the Doctors’ Association UK – a professional association for UK medics – has issued a statement calling a full ‘Tier 5’ lockdown with the extended closure of schools.
In an open letter to the PM, campaign leaders said: “We believe that a further period of even tighter restrictions is essential to avert a national disaster, and call now for the implementation of a full national lockdown.”
Sources say discussions were under way about the return of shielding, which could also be extended to people in specific age groups, such as the over-70s.
Last month the “clinically extremely vulnerable” were told they should stay at home if they live in Tier 4 areas.
And Mr Johnson appeared to suggest tight measures are imminent during an appearance on The Andrew Marr Show today.
During the interview, he refused to rule out curfews, a return to a single hour of exercise a day and a ban on household mixing, as well as a total national lockdown.
