Chris Whitty says Tier 3 rules 'not sufficient' on their own to beat Covid-19

Ewan Somerville12 October 2020

Boris Johnson has compared the recent surge in coronavirus infections to “dashboard warnings on a passenger jet” — as his chief medical officer warned that harsh new restrictions may not be enough to curb the rise in cases.

The Prime Minister told the nation it was entering a “new and crucial phase” in the fight against coronavirus and "we must act now" as he unveiled a new three-tier lockdown system for England.

The new measures, set to come into force on Wednesday, will see pubs and bars shut in the Liverpool city region after the area was placed at a "very high" alert level, with mixing between households also banned and advice against travel in or out.

But during a Downing Street briefing on Monday, Professor Chris Whitty suggested that even these strict Tier 3 measures “will not be sufficient” to slow Covid-19 infections alone.

Prof Whitty said he was “very confident” the current measures are helping to slow the virus but warned "significantly" deeper restrictions may be needed.

Boris Johnson struck a sombre tone during the press briefing
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Indicating tougher curbs to come, he added: “I am not confident — nor is anybody confident — that the Tier 3 proposals for the highest rate, if you did the absolute base case and nothing more, would be enough to get on top of it.”

Local leaders in Tier 3 areas have discretion to impose more widespread closures, such as in Merseyside where gyms, leisure centres and casinos are closing.

But the PM hinted he would impose further restrictions if ongoing talks with other northern leaders are unsuccessful.

Mr Johnson defended the “balanced approach”, warning against the “extreme route” of a second national lockdown "right now".

But he said “anything like a normal Christmas” was dependent on the public complying with social distancing and hygiene protocols, self-isolation and test and trace.

The PM told the Commons earlier retail outlets, schools and universities would remain open in all areas of England.

He said that cases have gone up four times in four weeks, there are more Covid-19 patients in UK hospitals than on March 23 and deaths are rising. Nightingale hospitals have been placed on standby.

“These figures are flashing at us like dashboard warnings in a passenger jet and we must act now,” he said.

Flanked by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Mr Johnson told the televised briefing that “nowhere will be shut down indefinitely” and “no one affected by this will be left to fend for themselves”.

Mr Sunak pledged a £3,000 cash grant for businesses forced to shut under tier three, as well as up to £500 million for lockdown-hit local authorities to enforce the rules.

In the new three-tier system, most areas in England will be placed at the "medium" alert level, with current national restrictions including the rule of six and the 10pm curfew in force.

The "high" alert level to reduce household-to-household transmission by preventing all mixing between households indoors. The rule of six will still apply outside.

Prof Chris Whitty warned even tougher measures could be needed
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into this category, as well as Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak.

Local leaders across northern England and the Midlands have railed against the new curbs, with the Conservative mayor for the West Midlands Andy Street going head-to-head with Mr Johnson, saying he was “very disappointed” and urging a rethink.

But Mr Johnson said tonight: “If we can’t get agreement, then clearly it is the duty of national Government to take the necessary action to protect the public and public health and we will.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was “sceptical” whether the Government had a plan to get control of the virus.

Boris Johnson was flanked by Prof Chris Whitty and Chancellor Rishi Sunak
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Labour leader said: “The question today is whether the restrictions announced by the Prime Minister can bring the country back from the brink, whether they can regain control of the virus and provide the support and confidence that local businesses and communities need.

“That is how high the stakes now are.”

A further 13,972 lab-confirmed cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in the UK as of 9am Monday, the Department of Health said. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 617,688.

The Government also said a further 50 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, bringing the UK total to 42,875.

Nottingham is the worst-affected hotspot, with 834.2 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Knowsley in Merseyside at 656.9 per 100,000.

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