EXTENDED lockdown powers to keep pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces closed until the summer have been granted to councils.
The move comes after Boris Johnson said it was “too early” to say whether coronavirus restrictions are to be lifted before spring or even summer.
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The PM refused to be drawn on when Brits might see their freedoms returned when the national lockdown is eased.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020 came in last July and was due to expire last week.
This law allows a local authority to close or limit access to premises or outdoor spaces in its area to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including stopping events.
But earlier this month it was extended by Health Secretary Matt Hancock until July 17 as part of a review of the third lockdown, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
Mark Harper, who chairs Coronavirus Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said the “extension will be of great concern to those worried about their jobs and businesses”.
“Given the limited time allowed for debate this change in the law was little noticed,” said Mr Harper, whose group campaigns against what it sees as unnecessary restrictions.
“Once the top four risk groups have been vaccinated and fully protected by March 8, assuming the Government hits the February 15 deadline, the Government must start easing the restrictions.
“Vaccinations will of course bring immunity from Covid, but they must bring immunity from lockdowns and restrictions too.”
Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of trade body UK Hospitality, said the move was “surprising” given that “the large proportion of the population will be vaccinated by then”.
A Department of Health source said MPs had voted for these national restrictions earlier this month.
“The regulations that encompass the measures – including local authority powers – automatically expire after six months,” said the source.
“As we are currently in a national lockdown it was necessary to renew the regulations, which means they are automatically extended for another six months.
“However, these measures are still subject to the statuary review point.”
The move comes as a worrying study showed the number of Covid cases didn’t drop significantly in the first ten days of the national lockdown – which started on January 5.
The PM was asked whether the country was looking at summer rather than spring for restrictions to be eased.
He replied: “I think it’s too early to say when we’ll be able to lift some of some of the restrictions.
“What we’re seeing in the ONS data, in the REACT survey, we’re seeing the contagiousness of the new variant that we saw arrive just before Christmas. There’s no doubt it does spread very fast indeed.”
