ENGLAND’S lockdown could be toughened up in a handful of different ways, including with extra mask rules and closing loopholes letting people meet up with friends from other households.
Coronavirus cases have continued to spiral out of control and ministers are considering even more drastic measures to stop Brits seeing one another.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned this morning that too many people are failing to follow the rules.
And he stressed the Government did not want to make the restrictions any tougher – but said they would consider making the lockdown stricter if it was necessary.
Total household mixing ban
One of the rules that could be strengthened is the exemption that allows people to exercise with one other person from another household.
Parks and beaches throughout England were full to the brim over the weekend, sparking panic people were ignoring the rules.
And Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty warned this week the super-contagious new variant of the virus could spread more easily outdoors.
Mr Hancock has said he is “very reluctant” to scrap the rule because “for some people, this is a lifeline – (including) for some people who live alone.”
But he has also warned the rule will be changed, if people continue to ignore the rules.
“It is possible to make further restrictions but the most important thing is the compliance with existing measures, that is whats going to make a difference,” Mr Hancock told the BBC.
In the first lockdown, people were not allowed to see anyone outside their household – even for exercise.
But No10 has stressed they are not looking at scrapping support bubbles – which allow people living alone or single parents to join with one other household.
More face mask rules
Currently, face masks are compulsory in most indoor areas.
But there are fears queues for supermarkets could be spreading coronavirus even further.
Professor Whitty said earlier this week that crowding outside supermarkets or outdoor food stalls was an area of concern.
And Mr Zahawi said he was worried about supermarkets as potential hotspots for coronavirus.
He said: “I am worried about supermarkets, about people actually wearing masks, following the one way system and making sure when it’s at capacity, people are waiting outside.”
Ministers have cracked down on stores where social distancing rules have been relaxed, meaning there will be longer queues outside supermarkets.
Scientists have urged the Government to tighten up the rules on masks, though No10 has insisted they are focusing on enforcing the existing restrictions.
And London Mayor Sadiq Khan has written to the PM demanding face masks are made compulsory outdoors.
Nurseries could be closed
Almost all schools in England have been forced to close, except for vulnerable kids or those of key workers.
But under tougher lockdown rules, nurseries could also be closed – as in the first shutdown last spring.
Sir Keir Starmer said over the weekend nurseries “probably should be closed”.
The Labour leader told the BBC: “I think there is a case for looking at nursery schools, we’re talking to the scientists about that.
“I think people are surprised that primary schools were closed but nurseries aren’t.”
But it is likely to be an absolute last resort.
Professor Whitty has stressed keeping them open is important to “allow people who need to go to work, or need to do particular activities, to do so”.
Click and Collect services
Click and collect services at non-essential shops could be asked to close.
It is currently allowed under the government’s lockdown guidance and has become a way for non-essential retailers and restaurants to keep trading.
But concerns have been raised over the groups gathering for their items.
John Lewis made the decision yesterday to stop offering click and collect, over fears it was helping spread the virus.
Bosses said they was “conscious of the increased need to remove reasons for non-essential travel” and help encourage the public to stay at home.
Nicola Sturgeon has been mulling over whether to cancel click and collect services in Scotland in order to stop growing cases.
Churches, mosques and synagogues could be closed
Places of worship are currently open for individual prayer and public worship.
But as coronavirus cases continued to skyrocket, they could be closed.
They were forced to close entirely during the first lockdown, and gradually reopen for individual worship.
Estate agents could be closed
Estate agents are currently able to stay open and continue to take people on house viewings.
But these could be stopped under tougher lockdown rules.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this week it was surprising house viewings can still go ahead, and called for them to be closed.
He said: “One example that would surprise people is it is still possible to go and view houses, if you’re going to buy a house.
“That wasn’t allowed last March, having got to a point where things are to at least as, if not more, serious, we have less restrictions in place. We need those in place as quickly as possible.”