Business Secretary Rules Out Another Lockdown

Half of Brits believe there will be further lockdowns and some officials are urging the Government to implement ‘Plan B’ winter measures now. But such talk is, according to the Business Secretary, “completely unhelpful”. Not only that – he says he would “rule out” the idea the country is facing another lockdown. Sky News has the story.

NHS Confederation Chief Executive Matthew Taylor has urged the Government to bring back certain measures, including mandatory face coverings in public places, telling Sky News: “The overwhelming evidence is that we do need to act.” …

But asked by Kay Burley on Sky News whether the U.K. could be facing another lockdown, [Kwasi] Kwarteng said: “I would rule that out.”

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the Business Secretary added: “I think the conversation about restrictions on travel, restrictions on more lockdowns is completely unhelpful.”

Asked whether more travel restrictions could be brought back in, he told Burley: “No, I don’t think so.”

Challenged on the fact that the Government said similar last year before further measures were introduced, the business secretary said: “This time last year we didn’t have the vaccine.”

“We don’t want to go back into lockdown and further restrictions,” Mr. Kwarteng later clarified.

Perhaps this last remark – that the Government doesn’t want to bring in another lockdown – is closer to the point.

Worth reading in full.