OVER-50S NUKE’ FEAR
PM eyeing new restrictions.. just as strict rules are lifted in England Critics blast leaked proposals as ‘contradictory and confusing’
MILLIONS of Brits could be told to shield again under plans to avoid another national coronavirus lockdown, throwing the easing of restrictions into chaos.
At-risk over-50s could find themselves added to the 2.2 million vulnerable people told to stay home during the first wave, according to reports.
Mr Johnson last week compared a full lockdown to a “nuclear deterrent”, insisting it was a last resort.
And he is said to have asked his team to prepare a series of measures that could help avoid a repeat.
Those aged between 50 and 70 could be given personalised risk ratings, based on age and underlying conditions, with the most at-risk told to isolate, it is claimed.
Critics said such changes would be “completely contradictory” with advice for those previously shielding only lifted on Saturday in England and still in place until August 16 in Wales.
The Prime Minister may also end the “bubble” system – which allows separate households to meet under one roof – as has happened in nine areas partially locked down in the
North West of England. It comes amid fears of a second spike, with the death toll rising by eight and 774 new cases diagnosed in 24 hours.
Downing Street sources distanced themselves from the detail in the reports, calling them “speculative”.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick dismissed them as “speculation” but added: “You would expect the Government to be considering the options that might be available”
It comes just days after 4.5 million people in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire were hit with new rules which banned them from visiting each other’s homes. And on Friday Mr Johnson was forced to delay further easing lockdown measures nationwide because of fears of a further spike. England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has warned the country is “at the limit” of changes to rules that can be safely made.
A source told the Sunday Times. “At the moment, shielding is binary, you’re either on this list or off it. But we know there isn’t a simple cut-off at age 70.
“People would get a personalised risk assessment, the risk rises after 50, quite gently to start with, and then accelerates after age 70.” According to the reports, Mr Johnson has ordered officials to work up a plan for avoiding a repeat of blanket lockdown measures which would derail the fragile economic recovery.
The PM held a “war game” session with Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Wednesday to run through options.
It has been suggested that if infections escalate in London, the M25 would act as a travel border and residents would be banned from staying the night at other people’s homes.
Mr Jenrick later suggested renewed and expanded shielding was “not something being actively considered”.
But a Whitehall insider told the Mirror: “Shielding has just been paused, and can be restarted if the virus begins to surge again. This is
something we have to keep available to come back, if and when we need it.”
Mr Jenrick also said there was “no plan, as far as I’m aware” to bring in travel controls and restrictions on where Londoners could stay, to avoid any surge in the capital spreading to the rest of the country.
Lib Dem Health spokeswoman Baroness Sal Brinton, who has been shielding, blasted the leaked plans.
She said: “Boris Johnson’s Government have spent 48 hours telling vulnerable people it’s OK to pause shielding, yet now it seems they’re backtracking on those plans.
“So far guidance to shielders has been completely contradictory, with all financial support removed regardless of whether shielders could return to work safely or not. “Ministers have left shielders in the lurch, with little choice but to expose themselves to the virus.
“Any change needs to be completely clear and be coupled with financial support for all those who need it.” Dennis Reed, of over-60s group campaign group Silver Voices, said Government advice was “all over the place” and “reopening of the economy” was “putting older people at risk”.
He told the Mirror: “They stopped shielding support for 2.2 million people. To now suggest they are going to expand shielding seems completely contradictory.
“The messaging has been so confusing most over-50s have actually been setting their own regimes.”
But Dame Esther Rantzen, 80, founder of support service The Silver Line, told LBC’s Andrew Castle she was “willing to pay the price” of staying at home so others do not have to.
The veteran television presenter, said: “I put myself in isolation on March 14 and I intend to stay here because I don’t want to be a problem for the NHS.
“I want younger people if they are fit and able to have the freedom to enjoy a full life.
“But I know there are older people who regard it as a personal insult.”
Advice is all over the place.. most over-50s are setting their own regime
SILVER VOICES FOUNDER ON LACK OF CONSISTENCY