People will get as normal a Christmas as possible, pledges PM, as he vows measures will be temporary
BORIS JOHNSON last night insisted the second lockdown would end on Dec 2 to give people “as normal a Christmas as possible”.
The Prime Minister said that four weeks would be enough to drive down the spread of Covid-19, after Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, extended the furlough scheme until the end of March.
The move sparked fears that the restrictions could be extended beyond the beginning of next month, but Mr Johnson said he had “every confidence” England could be eased back into a tiered system after 28 days.
Acknowledging that people were “anxious, weary and fed up”, he told a press conference: “This is not a repeat of the spring. These measures, although they are tough, they are time limited.
“The advice I have received suggests that four weeks is enough for these measures to make a real impact.
“These rules will expire and on Dec 2 we plan to move back to a tiered approach. There is light at the end of the tunnel. These are difficult times. While it pains me to have to ask once again for so many to give up so much, I know we can get through this.”
He said “the objective” was to return to regional restrictions next month so “people across this country will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible”, adding: “And we’ll be able to get things open before Christmas as well.”
Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have closed their doors and people have been told to stay at home for the next month, but schools, universities and nurseries are remaining open.
By Mr Johnson’s side, Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS England chief executive, warned sceptics that the second wave “is real and serious”, citing figures that showed hospital admissions had risen from under 500 at the beginning of September to more than 11,000 now. He said around 30,000 NHS staff were sick with Covid-19 or self-isolating.
Mr Johnson was optimistic that science would succeed in finding a way out of the crisis. “There is also the very real chance of safe and effective vaccines,” he said. “The number of shots that are currently raining down on the goal is very, very considerable from the scientists and the doctors, and one of them, I believe, is going to get through, and get through very soon.”
Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick, the Housing Secretary confirmed last night that renters would be safe from the threat of eviction while national restrictions remained in place. Evictions would not be enforced until Jan 11 at the earliest, he said.