The UK faces a “tipping point” where “more restrictive measures” could be brought in to slow the spread of coronavirus, the health secretary has told Sky News.
Matt Hancock said “people have got more relaxed over the summer” but “now is the moment when everybody needs to get back” to following the rules.
He told Sophy Ridge On Sunday he was “worried” too many people are beaching self-isolation rules, leading to the government making it illegal in England.
Discussions are also underway today on a potential London lockdown, Mr Hancock revealed.
He also refused to rule out “national action” when pressed on the possibility of a second national lockdown.
And Mr Hancock made clear people should report on their neighbours for breaking any of the emergency COVID-19 laws.
Asked if he would, the cabinet minister said: “Yes – and everybody should… Everybody has got a part to play in this.”
It comes as daily new coronavirus infection figures shot up to a level not seen in over four months, with 4,422 reported on Saturday and 4,322 on Friday – the highest since 8 May.
Earlier, the government was criticised by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who said ministers had “lost control of the testing system”.
He told Sophy Ridge: “If I was the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact that testing is all over the place and instead of using the summer to prepare for the autumn, which is what we said should happen, we’re in this position just when we need testing to be at its very best, it’s near collapse.”
