A new variant of the corona has been exposed and it is way more hazardous than the previous one. Ministers of England are deciding whether Tier-4 lockdown will be implemented in some parts of the UK or not? Some parts of England could have been faced the toughest restrictions of Tier-4 lockdown to prevent the quick spread of the new Covid-19 variant.
A Brief Report on New Covid Variant & Tier-4 Lockdown
Cabinet Minister of England Robert Jenrick has said “Government is still confused about the decision that current lockdown restrictions are enough to stop the spreading of corona or not?”
He also mentioned that “the corona cases are rising rapidly in the country and it was not planned to extend curbs on Boxing Day.”
Health Secretary of UK Matt Hancock will give a lead briefing to Downing Street at 155:00GMT. Chief medical officers of England’s Public Health center Dr. Susan Hopkins and Dr. Jenny Harries will join Matt Hancock in the conference.
Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson is the chaired member of the Covid-19 operation committee. He has asked for an immediate meeting before the 30th of December (the official date to review corona restrictions) and discusses the new tiered system in the country to control the rapid increase of new corona variant.
Millions of people have seen their festive plans canceled or scrapped with severe restrictions because London and several parts of South-east England are under-going tier-4 lockdown. The latest change in Lockdown was only implemented in London and various parts of England.
Chief scientific adviser of UK Sir Patrick Vallance had already warned the Government that extra curbs will surely be needed in England as the new variant of Covid-19 is much more powerful than the previous one.
He explained on the Downing Street briefing on Monday that “Covid restrictions need to be increased in some parts of the UK instead of reducing, due to a large number of confirming corona cases.”
Earlier in a meeting, Mr. Jenrick had mentioned that “Ministers are trying to implement a robust tiered system across the country and it needs proportionate approach of facilities. He also said that “the tier-4 lockdown system had been designed already before the new Covid variant makes its appearance.”
He also said that “the new variant of Covid-19 is much more transmissible than the previous one. The strains of new coronavirus were already present in some parts of the UK _ although, it was in lesser extent in the London and in south-east parts of England.”
The health secretary Matt Hancock said that “the tier-4 lockdown was already design before the chief scientists of England knew the full fierceness of new Covid-variant.” He also mentioned that “Ministers wanted to make sure that new tiered system of lockdown will robust enough to get ahold of the new variant and stop the rising of corona cases to lower levels as they are now in some parts of England.
The lead member of March lockdown modelling Prof Neil Ferguson said that “new Covid variant is now already everywhere in the country.” Ge further added that “he is pretty confident that new Tier-4 lockdown and strictest restrictions before Christmas will be beneficial and decrease the cases of corona in the country.”
In a meeting with the Common Science and Technology Committee, the professor has said, “schools are already shut and the country is speeding moving towards the tier-4 lockdown. Contact rates all-over the country will reduce till Christmas.”
Prof Neil Ferguson also said in the committee meeting that “he is afraid to make any conclusion yet but England will see a flattering decrease in the curve of corona cases. If the rules are applied correctly, we will see a rapid decrease in the corona cases across the country.”
He also said that “if it is true that the new variant is everywhere then what will happen in January. How the Government will apply more uniform rules in the country.”
A new data report about corona cases was published by the Government office of Science & Scientific advisors prior to this week. In this report, it was clearly mentioned that the ratio of “transferring of the virus from an infected person to another” is raised between 1.1 & 1.3 to 1.1 & 1.2 from its prior average value.
On Tuesday, almost 36,084 new confirmed corona cases were registered. According to Government figures of the UK, there were 700 deaths of positive corona-test patients within 28 days.
It is the largest number of corona deaths registered in the UK yet. Although, it is also considered that the infection transferring rate was much higher at the start of spring when there were limited Covid-test kits available.
The devolved administrations of England have also tightened the restrictions of Covid-19 to combat the rise in corona cases. Moreover, Wales is facing is going under another tier of lockdown earlier this weekend. Northland Ireland and Mainland Scotland are also starting a new lockdown on Boxing Day.
Learn about Covid symptoms and how to fight with the new variant of this deadly virus.
More about Corona Virus & Tier-4 Lockdown in the UK
Mr. Jenrick appeared in the conference earlier on Tuesday and said that “the decision from the Government committee will be transfer to the public as soon as possible.” He also mentioned that the Government had no plan at the moment to change lockdown rules in the country till Christmas day.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock revised the rules for Christmas day. And according to this, people living under two and three tier lockdown are allowed to socialize and mobilize in the bubble of three households only on the 25th of December.”
People living in Tier-4 lockdown are only allowed to celebrate Christmas Eve with the people of their household. They are strictly restricted to visit family and friends in other parts of the country.
Mr. Jenrick has supported the decision of PM Boris Johnson and said “PM was very clear with his decision and according to him even outside the tier-4 lockdown, it is important to strictly exercise lockdown rules to prevent the spread of deadly new variant.”
Today, at BBC Radio 4’s Programme Mr. Jenrick said “the decision still depends on people that how many members of their household they want to bring together on Christmas Eve.”
“We strongly advise people to keep it short for the health of theirs and their loved ones.”
Coronavirus, Tier-4 Lockdown & UK
Sir Keir Starmer (Leader of the labour party) has written to PM Boris Johnson about Government moves to strict the lockdown rules in the country. He said his party will not agree to any idea of tightening the restrictions if health scientists have recommended this.
On Wednesday Shadow Health Secretary Mr. Jonathon appeared at a conference and advised the PM to act cleverly before it’s too late.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, he said that “we are only saying to Boris Johnson that last time he heard advice from Health Scientists for strict lockdown rules, he hesitated, sat on it and delayed.”
He pleads to the PM Bois Johnson that ‘don’t sit on the advice this time because we all know delaying will only bring more devastating consequences.”
The Labour leader of Crawley Borough Council has accused the Government of not providing enough facilities and support. The area of this labour party is currently under tier-two lockdown. But due to the rapid increase in corona cases, some areas would hit hardly the tier-four lockdown restrictions.
Cllr Peter Lamb gave an interview to BBC and said “Crawley would face tighter restrictions of the lockdown. The cases of confirmed cases are not increasing there but the curve will reach its higher level at some point in the future.”
He also added that “there is no coming back for Crawley and it also Gatwick airport which is still seeking for the support from Government.” He further added that the “business would be impacted badly if Crawley will undergo tighter restrictions for a longer time.”
Stay connected with The UK Time to learn more information about lockdown restrictions in the UK.
