England could come out of lockdown nationally instead of using the regional tier system, reports claim today.
Tiers are still an option but officials are “looking at” whether to unlock the country on a national basis, a source told the Daily Mail.
Contacted by the Mirror, a government source vehemently dismissed the Daily Mail’s story and said no decisions were made.
However, they added they did not rule things out.
When he imposed the third lockdown, Boris Johnson said England would see “a steady, controlled and evidence-led move down through the tiers on a regional basis” when it came to an end.
Since then he has announced he will publish a “roadmap” in the week of February 22 spelling out how lockdown ends.
(Image: Getty Images)
But asked on Wednesday if that plan would “deal with how we lift every area out of its tier”, the PM replied that it would be “a broader roadmap for a way forward for the whole country”.
Government scientists have also said the tier system in England – where large areas were essentially in lockdown but pubs could open on the Isles of Scilly – was not enough to contain the new ‘Kent’ variant of Covid.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Wednesday: “I think the evidence may well show that the tiered system and the restrictions that were placed towards the end of 2020, were getting the Covid as we knew it under control.
“But unfortunately the new variant came and that was, in one sense, unlucky but we’ve responded to that with stricter restrictions.”
A ‘government insider’ told the Daily Mail: “We do think the tier system was effective for the situation we faced last year, but we may face different circumstances this spring.
“Tiers are still an option but we are also looking at whether it would be better to exit from lockdown on a national basis.
“It will depend to an extent on the geographical spread of the pandemic in a few weeks’ time when we will be able to see if there is still value in trying to do things on a regional basis.”
It comes after the Daily Telegraph reported ministers were working on a three-stage lockdown exit plan that could see England’s pubs shut until May.
Boris Johnson has confirmed the lockdown won’t ease until March 8 at the earliest and schools will be the first to reopen.
Now officials are working on proposals that then could see most shops closed until April, and pubs and restaurants shut until May, the Telegraph claimed.
A Government source did not deny the plans, but told the Mirror: “I don’t think we’re anywhere close to knowing any timetables.”
