STRONGER coronavirus restrictions could be announced today.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned this morning that the government is "prepared to take the action that is necessary" to curb rising numbers of Covid cases across the UK.
He also pointed to the previous "rapid" introduction of Covid measures, using the introduction of Tier 4 "within just over 24 hours" as an example.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, host Piers Morgan compared the current situation to March - when the UK was first placed under a national lockdown.
Mr Morgan said: "We waited and waited and waited until it was too late.
"Surely given the rate of transmission here - you're the Health Secretary, you are looking at the same graphs that I am - you must share my horror at what is happening.
"Surely we know that the only truly effective, blunt implement at this stage is to do a national lockdown, isn't it?
"I don't see any other way that you're going to get a lid on this variant."
Mr Hancock responded: "It's not only about the measures we put in place Piers, but it's also about how everybody responds to them.
"On Good Morning Britain you have been unbelievably responsible throughout this crisis in explaining to people how important it is - because it's on all of us, right?
- READ MORE: Police reveal shocking number of Covid fines issued in Brighton on New Year's Eve
"Ultimately, the reason this virus gets from one person to another is when you get into close physical proximity.
"That's why just staying apart and staying at home, unless you have a very good reason not to, are so important to control the virus."
But Mr Morgan claimed that "nobody really understands" the existing tier system of coronavirus restrictions, saying that "at least with a national lockdown there is clarity".
Mr Hancock said: "We are prepared to take the action that is necessary, and sometimes very rapidly.
"When we found out that this new variant spreads so much faster, we moved within just over 24 hours to bring in Tier 4.
"We look at this data all the time."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel