Will there be a circuit breaker lockdown in England?

The Government recently implemented a new three-tier system which separates areas in the UK into different categories of Covid risk – Medium (tier one), High (tier two) and Very High (tier three).

Each local area will have to follow the designated rules for their tier. It is hoped that areas with a higher number of cases will see a drop from the tighter restrictions of a higher tier, with the aim to avoid a national lockdown.

But as pressure mounts to consider a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown – with a leaked letter suggesting Wales will enter a 17-day lockdown from Friday October 23 – what are the odds that Boris Johnson will place England under one?

Could England go into a two-week lockdown if the tier system doesn’t work?

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Will England have a circuit breaker lockdown?

The Prime Minister has said on numerous occasions that he is keen to avoid another national lockdown so a circuit breaker is, for the time-being, unlikely across England.

The Cabinet is supporting this mentality, with Michael Gove appearing on Sky News earlier today to suggest it’s unfair to impose a lockdown on areas with low infection rates.

The Cabinet Office Minister pushed back on scientific advice that a circuit breaker is needed now, saying the Government’s regional tier-system approach is a fairer way of tackling the spread of the virus.

Appearing on the Ridge on Sunday programme on Sky News, Mr Gove was asked if the Government is going to introduce a ‘circuit breaker’ imminently but flatly responded: ‘No.’

A circuit breaker would be a shorter, two-week lockdown, aimed at delivering a ‘short sharp shock’ to the growing numbers of coronavirus cases. These lockdowns would focus on preventing people from gathering in public places like pubs, clubs and leisure facilities.

But Mr Johnson is facing criticism from some who say a circuit breaker lockdown is necessary to curb the spread of infection.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has criticised Johnson and the Government after it was revealed that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had recommended implementing another lockdown last month.

In Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this week, Johnson defended his new tier system, saying: ‘The whole point is to seize this moment now to avoid the misery of another national lockdown – into which he wants to go headlong – by delivering a regional solution.’

Have other parts of the UK gone into a circuit breaker lockdown?

Northern Ireland will go into a two-week circuit breaker lockdown from tomorrow, Monday, October 19.

For two weeks, the circuit breaker will see hospitality businesses, including hairdressers and restaurants, close temporarily, while schools will also shut for two weeks.

Shops will remain open, as will gyms for individual training. Churches will also remain open. It is understood a 25-person limit will be placed on funerals and weddings, but wedding receptions are prohibited.

Though not a full lockdown, Scotland also imposed a 16-day ban on alcohol in pubs to help combat the spread from Friday, October 9.

Pubs and restaurants and other hospitality venues have only been allowed to open indoors between 6am and 6pm under the 16 day curfew – on the condition they don’t serve alcohol.

According to a leaked letter from Confederation of Passenger Transport union, in Wales ‘pubs, restaurants, hairdressers etc – will all be closed’ in measures will ‘take us back to the situation in March.’

Though unconfirmed for now, it is understood a final decision will be made today, before an announcement at lunchtime on Monday, October 19.

MORE: Police clash with crowds of drinkers as London plunged into tier 2 lockdown

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