ENGLAND’S lockdown could be toughened up in a handful of different ways, including with extra mask rules and closing loopholes letting people meet up with friends from other households.
Coronavirus cases have continued to spiral out of control and Boris Johnson has refused to rule out the lockdown being extended until summer.
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Mr Johnson warned the super-contagious new variant of coronavirus would spell a “tough few weeks” for Brits as infections continued to rise.
“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.”
The shock REACT survey, from Imperial College London, showed new infections did not slow in the first days of lockdown and warned tougher measures could be needed.
But Priti Patel on Monday said the Government would be tougher on enforcement rather than bringing in stricter rules.
Asked if tougher measures would be needed, Ms Patel said: “No, the focus has to be on compliance and enforcement of the regulations and the rules as they stand.”
Total household mixing ban
One of the rules that could be strengthened is scrapping the exemption that allows people to exercise with one other person from another household.
Parks and beaches throughout England have been full to the brim on the weekends, sparking panic people were ignoring the rules.
And Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has previously warned this week the super-contagious new variant of the virus could spread more easily outdoors.
But ministers have said they are hesitant to ditch the rule.
Last week, Mr Hancock said he was “very reluctant” to scrap the rule because “for some people, this is a lifeline – (including) for some people who live alone.”
But he has also warned the rule will be changed, if people continue to ignore the rules.
“It is possible to make further restrictions but the most important thing is the compliance with existing measures, that is whats going to make a difference,” Mr Hancock told the BBC.
In the first lockdown, people were not allowed to see anyone outside their household – even for exercise.
But Downing Street has stressed they are not looking at scrapping support bubbles – which allow people living alone or single parents to join with one other household.
More face mask rules
Currently, face masks are compulsory in most indoor areas.
But there are fears queues for supermarkets could be spreading coronavirus even further.
Professor Whitty said last week that crowding outside supermarkets or outdoor food stalls was an area of concern.
And vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has admitted he was “worried” about people not wearing masks.
But supermarkets have recently strengthened social distancing rules, meaning Brits have to wait in lengthy queues to do their shopping.
Nurseries could be closed
Almost all schools in England have been forced to close, except for vulnerable kids or those of key workers.
And today, the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson could not say when they would reopen, promising it would be before Easter.
In the first shutdown last spring, nurseries were also forced to close, and this could be tightened in the current lockdown.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has previously said nurseries should “probably be closed”.
But it is likely to be an absolute last resort.
Click and Collect services
Click and collect services at non-essential shops could be asked to close.
It is currently allowed under the government’s lockdown guidance and has become a way for non-essential retailers and restaurants to keep trading.
But concerns have been raised over the groups gathering for their items.
John Lewis made the decision last week to stop offering click and collect, over fears it was helping spread the virus.
Bosses said they was “conscious of the increased need to remove reasons for non-essential travel” and help encourage the public to stay at home.
Nicola Sturgeon beefed up the rules in Scotland so that people can only buy “essential items” such as clothes, shoes, books and baby equipment, from shops already allowed to stay open, such as supermarkets.
Churches, mosques and synagogues could be closed
Places of worship are currently open for individual prayer and public worship.
But as coronavirus cases continued to skyrocket, they could be closed.
They were forced to close entirely during the first lockdown, and gradually reopen for individual worship.
Estate agents could be closed
Estate agents are currently able to stay open and continue to take people on house viewings.
But these could be stopped under tougher lockdown rules.
Sir Keir has said it is “surprising” estate agents have been allowed to continue to do house viewings, especially given the increased risk of transmission when indoors.
