Labour leader Kier Starmer has called for a three week national lockdown across England running over half term, but not shutting schools, to get R-rate down, and reset test and trace, and hand over to local authorities.
In a press conference this afternoon Starmer said that “The figures are stark and I am afraid they are all heading in the wrong direction”.
He added that “There’s no longer time to give this PM the benefit of the doubt. The Government’s plan simply isn’t working. Another course is needed.”
The lockdown would mean only essential work and travel. That everyone who can work from home should do so. Non-essential offices should be closed. Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who’ve formed support ‘bubbles’. And all pubs, bars and restaurants would be closed for two-to-three weeks – but compensated so that no business loses out because of the sacrifices we all need to make. It should also mean the UK Parliament moves to remote working.
He said to the Prime Minister:
“You know that the scientific evidence backs this approach. You know that the restrictions you introduced won’t be enough. You know that a circuit break is needed now to keep this virus under control. So act now, break the cycle.”
“We know from bitter experience and great personal loss where all this leads. Three things are now clear: the Government has not got a credible plan to slow infections. It has lost control of the virus. And it’s no longer following the scientific advice.“
