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.

The Argus: Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government willtake the action necessary to stop the spread of a new strain of coronavirusHealth Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government willtake the action necessary to stop the spread of a new strain of coronavirus

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."

The Argus: Good Morning Britain host Piers MorganGood Morning Britain host Piers Morgan

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?

"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."

The Argus: West Street in Brighton on New Year's Eve, with the city under Tier 4 restrictionsWest Street in Brighton on New Year's Eve, with the city under Tier 4 restrictions

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."