‘Critical moment’ in pandemic - PM
BORIS Johnson says the rising number of coronavirus cases shows why there has been a necessity for local lockdowns.
Mr Johnson, who was delivering his 100th coronavirus briefing yesterday, also warned there could be a need to make more sacrifices if infection rates continue to increase. But the PM said he wants to avoid another national lockdown like he did in March, where families were told to stay at home.
It comes after the Department of Health and Social Care revealed another 7,801 people had tested positive for coronavirus over the last 24 hours – including 48 in Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire.
The Prime Minister told a Downing Street news conference the country was at a “critical moment” and that he would not hesitate to a bring in new measures if required.
“If we put in the work together now then we give ourselves the best possible chance of avoiding that outcome and avoiding further measures,” he said.
“I know some people will think we should give up and let the virus take its course despite the huge loss of life that
would potentially entail. I have to say I profoundly disagree. I don’t think that is what the British people want. I don’t think they want to throw in the sponge. They want to fight and defeat this virus and that is what we are going to do.”
But addressing concerns of a national lockdown the Prime Minister said he wants to avoid a repeat of six months ago.
He added: “I don’t want to go back to a national lockdown.
“We want to keep the economy moving, pupils in education, but the only way to do that is to follow guidance.
“We need to keep things moving as much as we possibly can.”
Meanwhile, Government has been forced to promise MPS a vote over major coronavirus laws “wherever possible” after being accused of treating Parliament with contempt by the Commons Speaker.
In a strongly worded statement, Sir Lindsay Hoyle hit out at the “totally unsatisfactory” way that Parliament had been sidelined, with new laws being brought in without scrutiny and sometimes published just hours before coming into force.
But the Speaker threw Mr Johnson a lifeline by saying there would not be a vote on a rebel Tory bid to require the Government to give Parliament a greater role in the future.
In an effort to placate Conservative critics, Health Secretary Matt Hancock offered a concession over new national measures.
“For significant national measures, with effect in the whole of England or Uk-wide, we will consult Parliament – wherever possible we will hold votes before such regulations come into force,” he told the Commons.
“But of course responding to the virus means that the Government must act with speed when required.”