By Britons criticised for social distancing failure as UK heads towards full lockdown
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has criticised groups of “very selfish” Britons who have failed to adhere to social distancing measures, as the UK heads towards a full lockdown:
“If people go within 2m of others who they don’t live with, they are helping to spread the virus and the consequence of that costs lives – and it means for everyone, this will go on for longer.”
Mr Hancock has also said that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to fighting Covid-19 suggesting that a police or military enforced curfew was possible, in line with measures taken in other countries.
MP’s are now to debate emergency laws designed to combat Covid-19. These would aid former NHS staff in returning to work, and permit virtual court hearings. They would also give police the power to detain and isolate anyone they suspected of being infected with Coronavirus.
Many have blamed the failure of social distancing on the lack of clarity in the advice given by the government. Rory Cellan-Jones, Technology Correspondant for the BBC, tweeted:
“It’s all very well criticising people for flocking to the countryside/pubs etc or visiting their mums but the government messaging has been severely lacking in clarity. There should be a public information film running in every ad break/between every TV and radio programme…”
When questioned about whether he felt the government was partly to blame for this failure, Matt Hancock said:
“I understand why people want to [visit parks or the beach] and it is important that people get exercise but they should do it staying away from others.”
He insisted that the government had been “really clear in the actions” they have taken.
The UK has now seen 281 deaths from the virus. Their ages have ranged between 18 and 102.
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