Advertisement

Health Secretary hints pubs could be forced to shut in traffic-light lockdowns

Health Secretary Matt Hancock - Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA
Health Secretary Matt Hancock - Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Pubs and restaurants could be closed in local lockdown areas under a new 'traffic light' system being finalised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that infection data is “not good news” for the hospitality industry.

Different options for the three-tiered model of low, medium and high-risk areas have been sent to the Prime Minister and could be announced later this week.

The most extreme measures under consideration would involve the closure of pubs and restaurants, a ban on households mixing, and possibly even the closure of non-essential retailers.

No final decision has been made by No 10, which must also decide on the mechanism used to move a town or region into a more severe category.

Mr Hancock hinted at possible pub closures in a conference call with the Confederation of British Industry when he said pubs were the second-biggest causes of infection, after household transmission.

He said: “Outside your household and socialising between households, the highest place in incidence of likely transmission, measured by where people have contacts, is unfortunately hospitality.

“Now obviously that finding is not good news in terms of the policy action we have to take for that sector.”

 

The 'traffic light' system, officially known as Local Covid Alert Levels, involves three tiers of predetermined restrictions that will simplify the currently complex and fragmented system of local lockdowns.

It was signed off by a Cabinet coronavirus subcommittee three weeks ago, but has been held up because of internal arguments about how harsh the most severe category should be, the criteria for putting areas into each category, and who makes the decision.

The most recent row involves a dispute over whether ministers or health official should have the final say on putting areas into the 'red' zone.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is understood to favour a decision-making team of himself, Mr Hancock and the Prime Minister.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak favours lighter lockdowns to protect the economy
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak favours lighter lockdowns to protect the economy

He believes it would produce a balanced view, as Mr Sunak is a 'hawk' who favours lighter lockdowns to protect the economy, while Mr Hancock is a 'dove' who prefers tougher restrictions that prioritise public health.

It would mean Michael Gove, also a 'dove', being excluded from the decision-making process.

The alternative proposal is for the decisions to be taken by Mr Hancock and his 'gold command' of health officials and scientific advisers.

Mr Johnson is under huge pressure to make a decision, as infection rates in some of the country’s worst-hit areas have doubled in the space of a week despite local lockdowns already being in place.