Politics

Scientists say the UK's Covid-19 lockdown is too 'lax' and demand stricter rules


Scientists warn current lockdown rules are too ‘lax’ and demand stricter measures as Covid cases spiral out of control.

SAGE experts urge that current restrictions will fail to contain the new coronavirus variant as ‘interactions are now riskier’ than they were during the first wave.

England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty is fronting a hard-hitting TV advert urging Brits to ‘act like you’ve got it’ in a major Government campaign.

It comes as the UK saw a record high number of Covid deaths in a single day, with 68,053 confirmed infections and 1,325 recorded dead.




Posters promoting the Government’s ‘stay at home’ message come with the stark warning– ‘if you go out, you can spread it. People will die.’

Professor Susan Michie, who advises the SAGE committee of experts, told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme the current lockdown is ‘definitely too lax’.

The health psychology professor, of University College London, said: “This is quite a lax lockdown because we’ve still got a lot of household contact.

“People go in and out of other people’s houses if they’re a cleaner, a non-essential trade person or a nanny.



The UK saw its highest number of Covid deaths on a single day, with 1,325 recorded dead

“We also have mass gatherings in terms of religious events and nurseries being open and you have this wide definition of critical workers.

“So we have 30 to 50 per cent of classes full up at the moment and very busy public transport going to and from these things. It’s definitely too lax.”

Despite around nine in ten Brits ‘overwhelmingly’ obeying the rules, public areas and transport have remained busy enabling the virus to spread.

Prime Minster Boris Johnson begged the public to stay at home on Friday with the Government launching its new major campaign.



Health experts say the current lockdown measures are ‘definitely too lax’

Today Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Health England, said people doubting the gravity of the situation needed to read and listen to the words of NHS staff and Covid patients.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “This is the reality and that is the truth. So the advice would be listen, read, but stay at home. Protect yourself, protect your families.”

He urged that there were “things we could do better” to reduce the spread including sticking to mask wearing and social distancing.

Ministers are considering making face masks compulsory in busy outdoor spaces such as supermarket queues.

Meanwhile police forces said they will enforce restrictions more strictly in a nationwide crackdown.

Met Police say Londoners can expect officers to be more inquisitive and to ensure they have a valid reason to leave their homes.





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