UK scientists clash with PM over virus lockdown

Bloomberg

Boris Johnson clashed with his own government’s scientific advisers who wanted tougher action against the resurgent coronavirus outbreak in the UK in September.
The British prime minister said he hoped to avoid another full national lockdown and that his plan would work if people followed the advice.
Options in a SAGE document circulated on September 21 included a short “circuit breaker” national lockdown, more people asked to work from home, bans on contact with other households and the closing of all restaurants.
“Not acting now to reduce cases will result in a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences in terms of direct Covid-related deaths and the ability of the health service to meet needs,” the committee said.
The split between Johnson and his pandemic advisers will fuel the political battles the premier is now fighting on multiple fronts. On Tuesday, members of Parliament were expected to vote on the latest restrictions as the premier seeks to persuade local leaders in northwestern England to agree to tighter curbs.
Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick defended the government’s approach.
“We did take action then,” he told the BBC on Tuesday when asked about the SAGE recommendations. “We took a balanced view of what was required at that moment. We do think the measures we’ve put in place now are robust. These are serious changes.”
Under Johnson’s new plan, a three-tier system of Covid alert levels is being introduced, set at medium, high, and very high, to simplify the imposition of lockdown measures.
In the areas on the highest alert, there will be tighter restrictions on social mixing and travel discouraged. But Whitty said local authorities will need to take more action to get the virus under control.