By Ben Kerrigan-
The British public are to be asked to work from home again if they can, following a spike in infections.
The government U turn announced by Michael Gove is another in a series of backtracks by the British government which has drawn criticism over the last few months. Gove told Sky News ahead of an expected statement by the prime minister today said there would be a “shift in emphasis”, and “if it is possible for people to work from home they should do so”.
Prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to restrict the hospitality sector to table service only and reemphasise the need for people to follow social-distancing guidance, wear face coverings and wash their hands regularly.
”They are reluctant steps that we’re taking, but they’re absolutely necessary because as we were reminded yesterday and as you’ve been reporting, the rate of infection is increasing, the number of people going to hospital is increasing, therefore we need to act,” the Cabinet Officer minister told Kay Burley.
The sudden change comes after chief medical officers for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, raised the level from three to four, meaning a high or rising level of transmission requiring enforced social distancing.
Mr. Johnson is to chair an emergency meeting of the COBRA committee of senior ministers and officials, as well as the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, and the first minister and deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill.
It will be followed by Mr Johnson’s statement in the Commons at about 12.30pm and his TV address, which will be broadcast at 8pm.
A vast majority of the British public have stuck to government rules, but many are becoming negative because of the many U turns in government policy in relation to the coronavirus.