MPs are set to vote later today on the bringing in of national lockdown measures for four weeks as of tomorrow.
The House of Commons is expected to back the Government’s intended lockdown but some backbench MPs have expressed increasing unease about the plan.
The Government’s scientific advisors have spelled out a bleak message that without an immediate lockdown, rates of transmission and therefore infection will continue to rise, leading to more deaths and placing the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed by the number of patients needing hospitalization.
But questions remain about the lockdown exit strategy, how the Test and Trace system will be improved, and on the indirect impacts of another lockdown on the economy, jobs and mental health.
Under the proposed lockdown in England, there’ll be a return to strict social distancing rules. Non-essential retail, leisure and entertainment venues will shut, and travel will only be allowed if you’re shopping for food, collecting medicine or attending a medical appointment, going to education or work (if you can’t work at home), taking exercise or caring for someone.
“Hands, Face, Space” is still the key message, with handwashing, wearing of masks and keeping a distance of 2m from others you do not live with stressed as vital ways to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.