Prime Minister Johnson is currently chairing an emergency COVID-19 Cobra meeting, and his daily 5pm briefing from Downing Street has not taken place. Government spokespeople have said he will ‘probably’ be making a public announcement on the outcome of the Cobra meeting later tonight.
At the same time the debate going on currently in Parliament looks like just about all options for everything are on the table. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is currently outlining to MP’s in the House of Commons some of the steps that are being looked at and/or will be taken.
Holiday destination behaviour over the weekend drives action
The consensus across all MP’s seems to be outrage at the behaviour over the weekend just past from many members of the public setting out for a day’s jollying. From the Scottish Highlands to Cornwall crowds descended on rural UK with no regard for the local NHS services.
Despite being told repeatedly to exercise social distancing and minimise contact with other people, huge numbers got in cars, some trailing caravans and headed off oblivious to what’s going on around them, and with no regard for others.
It now looks and sounds as if the time for ‘asking’ the UK public to observe what is being requested by the government is over, and draconian measures will be announced later tonight.
What is being looked at?
The Cobra meeting is looking for powers to if required…
- Close all UK borders.
- Close all UK airports.
- Close all ports and other entry points to the UK.
- Enforce a lock down similar to what we have seen implemented in Italy.
With the hospitality industry still reeling from the government’s announcements last Friday, tonight could see our industry, like most of the UK, locked down entirely.
The government is only saying currently that Prime Minister Johnson ‘may’ address the country later. Consensus, if it can be found around the Cobra table will surely determine whether we do hear from the Prime Minister later, or not.
The measures that are on the table surely also are now when, rather than if decisions.
- JUST ANNOUNCED 8.15 PM: Boris Johnson will address the nation on new measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak at 8.30pm tonight.
