LONDON (UK) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson will explain the potential new lockdown curbs in a statement to parliament on Monday. This comes as the government is seeking ways to stem the rapidly accelerating second wave of the pandemic.
A survey showed on Friday that the average daily number of infections has doubled in a week and the government is facing mounting opposition to lockdown curbs which have wreaked damage to the economy.
“The rising incidence in parts of the country means that it is very likely that certain local areas will face further restrictions,” Edward Lister, a senior aide to the prime minister, mentioned in his letter to parliamentarians. “The government is hoping to finalise these details as soon as possible. This pace is imperative if we are to control the spread of the virus.”
The country has the highest coronavirus-linked death toll in Europe, which stands at 42,679. It is also borrowing record amounts of money to be given as stimulus to bolster the economy.
The prime minister has to tackle both the pandemic crisis as well as the dissent in his party. GDP rose last month by 2.1% from July, according to official data.