Sir Keir calls on PM to impose circuit-breaker to halt the virus
SIR Keir Starmer has called on Boris Johnson to impose a short “circuit-breaker” lockdown across England to bring the coronavirus resurgence under control.
The Labour leader heaped pressure on to the Prime Minister yesterday after it emerged he dismissed a recommendation for the measure from Government scientists three weeks ago.
In his most dramatic intervention to date, Sir Keir said a two- to threeweek national lockdown over half term was needed to improve test and trace and prevent a “sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter”.
He told a televised press conference that Mr Johnson was “no longer following the scientific advice” by proposing “far less stringent restrictions” than suggested by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
Sir Keir said: “There’s no longer time to give the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt. The Government’s plan simply isn’t working. Another course is needed.”
He said schools must stay open but that all pubs, bars and restaurants should be closed during the circuitbreaker, while firms are compensated so “no business loses out” in order to “break the cycle” of infection.
“If we don’t, we could sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter. That choice is now for the Prime Minister to make. I urge him to do so,” Sir Keir said.
The call came after documents published on Monday evening showed Sage delivered a series of more drastic recommendations than the new three-tier system Mr Johnson has proposed.
In the documents from September 21, the scientists also criticised the Government’s £12 billion test and trace system as only having a “marginal impact” on Covid-19 transmission.
Sir Keir said the national lockdown would “reverse” rising infection rates and allow ministers to “rectify” some of their mistakes by handing over test and trace to local authorities.
But he acknowledged it would “require significant sacrifices” including curbs on household mixing and a ban on all but essential work and travel.
Amid increasing unrest on the Tory backbenches, Sir Keir said Labour would support the Government in voting for the measure to stop him needing to “balance the needs of your party against the national interest” .
Meanwhile, MPs were expected to approve the new local Covid alert levels during voting last night so the restrictions could come into force today.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the three-tiered system of local lockdowns was needed to prevent more severe restrictions and spiralling deaths as he opened the Commons debate.
“And in addition, then, harder economic measures would inevitably be needed to get it under control and needed for longer,” he said.
The Sage document, dated September 21, said a package of interventions was needed to reverse the “exponential” rise in cases.
The scientists set out interventions that should be considered for “immediate” introduction, including a short national “circuit-breaker” lockdown.
Nearly all university teaching moving online, banning household mixing and closure for all bars, restaurants, cafes and gyms were also suggested.
Downing Street issued a lengthy defence for not adopting the measures, saying the scientists agree that the economic impacts and harms of restrictions must also be considered.
The row came as No 10 warned regional leaders resisting entering the highest level of Mr Johnson’s restrictions that the Government has the power to “impose” the measures.