Boris Johnson is considering new lockdown measures in England should there be a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Plans are being assessed after a rise in Covid-19 cases forced the prime minister to slow the lockdown easing on Friday, with proposed relaxations for the leisure and beauty sectors delayed.
Johnson held a “war game” session with the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, on Wednesday to run through possible options for averting another nationwide lockdown that could stall any potential economic recovery.
According to the Sunday Times, measures under consideration include asking older people to shield once again and lockdown-like conditions for London should there be a second wave.
Under the proposals, a greater number of people would be asked to take part in the shielding programme, based on their age or particular risk factors that have been identified since March, said the Telegraph.
It could even lead to those aged between 50 and 70 given “personalised risk ratings”, in a move that would add to the 2.2mn people who were deemed most vulnerable and asked to shield themselves from society during the spring peak.
Shielding advice was only lifted on Saturday for those in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and remains in place until August 16 for those shielding in Wales.
Shielding advice remains in place in specific regions of England, including Greater Manchester, which are subject to special restrictions.
Other ideas mooted should the R number escalate in the capital include restricting travel beyond the M25 and putting a stop to stays at other people’s houses – similar to policies in local lockdowns imposed in Leicester and parts of the north-west of England in recent days.
Downing Street sources distanced themselves from the detail in the reports, calling them “speculative”.
The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, cast doubt on the reported plans to introduce more shielding for older people or bespoke measures for London.
He told Times Radio: “This is just speculation. You would expect the government to be considering all of the range of options that might be available. That’s not something that is being actively considered.”
Asked whether there were plans to put London under lockdown if Covid rates increased, he said: “Not as far as I’m aware.”
He expected schools to return to full capacity in September.
“I think you’re right to say that reopening schools and getting our children back into the classroom with that direct face-to-face contact with their teachers will be a priority for the government when we have to make those tough choices,” he said.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said people in his area “on the whole” had been brilliant “and I reject efforts to blame some for breaking lockdown rules”.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Burnham called on the government to ensure people in low-paid, insecure jobs are financially supported if they have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.
He wrote: “We shouldn’t spend taxpayers’ money on subsidising meals out but not support the low-paid to take time off work to protect their health.”