Police commissioner accuses Boris of rushing the relaxation of lockdown restrictions

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 doctor 0 Comments covidosis

The UK government may have ‘rushed’ announcing the relaxation of lockdown measures to help ministers ‘in a difficult position’ after the Cummings affair, a police and crime commissioner said today.

Northumbria’s Labour Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said the government’s pre-announcement on Thursday was a political move to help those feeling the heat of the fallout from Dominic Cummings’ apparent breach of lockdown.

The Prime Minister’s decision to set out his plans on a Thursday but not to roll them out until Monday means the country is facing a weekend of temptation as temperatures soar to 26C and many people head outside.

‘One of the hallmarks of the Government’s handling of this deadly pandemic has sadly been a series of mistimed and badly explained messages,’ Ms McGuinness said.

‘By pre-announcing changes to lockdown ahead of a tempting weekend of sunshine, the PM must have known he was going to create a situation that is difficult to police.

‘The messaging looks like it was rushed forward to help ministers in a difficult position.

‘When our country eventually gets through this and the inevitable inquiry into the Government’s handling takes place, the communications plan, or the lack of, will have to be part of that.

‘My message to people is to follow the latest guidelines, avoid large groups and be patient as we seek to reduce the R number and slow the spread of this deadly virus.’

Mr Johnson yesterday set out a significant easing of restrictions which will enable up to half a dozen people from different households to mix outside and in gardens from June 1, as primary schools reopen and non-essential shops prepare to follow suit.

Number 10 is adamant that people must wait for the new freedoms to kick in despite the fact that Scotland’s more limited changes to lockdown came into force today, prompting concerns of mixed messages and mass confusion. Mr Johnson also sparked confusion with his decision to ease lockdown as it emerged that the Government has not lowered its coronavirus alert level – something ministers have repeatedly insisted would need to happen before lockdown was eased.

Experts believe the combination of sunny weather and different lockdown rules in different parts of the country could be a recipe for disaster. There are also fears that the new NHS Test and Trace regime may not be sufficient to keep the rate of transmission of the disease down in the coming weeks.

The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: ‘We’ve said that wherever possible we would give a period of notice in advance of changes being made, ideally 48 hours or more, which is true in this respect.

‘The current regulations are in force until Monday. I think the PM set out yesterday we’re enormously grateful for the efforts of the British public in sticking by the rules and getting the infection rate down and that does mean that from June 1 we will be able to allow people to have some more social contact in a safe and socially-distanced way.’