Drakeford calls for ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown

THE First Minister has called on the Prime Minister to consider a “circuitbreaker” lockdown as a way of bringing down coronavirus infection rates across the UK.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, Mark Drakeford said another Cobra meeting was needed “urgently” to specifically discuss what circuit-breaker measures would be most suitable.

A circuit-breaker is a strict form of lockdown, similar to the one introduced in March, but for a far shorter period of time. It is intended to return incidence of infections to lower levels.

On Tuesday, Public Health Wales reported a further five coronavirus deaths in Wales and 764 more confirmed positive cases.

“We should discuss collectively what circuitbreaker options might best serve to bring the virus – and the R number

– under control across the UK,” said Mr Drakeford in the letter.

In another letter to Mr Johnson, the First Minister also highlighted that the Prime Minister’s three-tier model for England, which was introduced on Tuesday, would not be effective in driving down the R rate.

“You outlined at COBR(M) the three-tier model you intend to use to inform decision-making to limit the spread of coronavirus in England,” said Mr Drakeford.

“In his remarks, the Chief Medical Officer for England was clear the baseline measures in tier three will not be sufficient to bring the R number below 1. At the same time, the Chief Scientific Adviser yesterday said that a circuit-breaker period would have that effect.

“That advice reflected the considerable work on circuit-breaker measures carried out by SAGE, which can be effective in the circumstances we are now seeing in various parts of the UK.

“I would therefore request again that you urgently convene a further meeting of COBR(M) specifically to discuss circuitbreaker measures.”