With a quarter of the UK population now living under stricter restrictions, many people complain they cannot keep up with the constant lockdown changes and have been left unsure of what they can and cannot do.
Rules surrounding self-quarantine, face masks, work, school, social life, family visits and meeting friends have been altered 198 times over 209 days, according to analysis published this weekend.
The study covers Government announcements and statements from ministers on new regulations, national restrictions, local lockdowns and travel measures.
There have been 114 restrictions and changes to the way people live, 44 changes to the way people live locally and 37 travel restriction changes across England.
Senior MP Steve Baker is among a group of around 40 Tory backbenchers planning to challenge the Government over the Coronavirus Act when its renewal is debated in the Commons next week.
The Wycombe MP is backing and amendment tabled by Sir Graham Brady which will demands parliamentary debate and approval before all major national coronavirus measures come into effect.
Boris Johnson is coming under fire for his coronavirus strategy (Image: PA)
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Baker said: “I acquiesced in the fast passage of the Coronavirus Act in the grave situation of the time.
“Ministers evidently required broad powers to respond swiftly and efficiently to the reasonable worst case scenario we faced.
“Today, 100 Acts of Parliament have enabled 242 statutory instruments related to the disease. Rapid, repeat amendment and revocation have been commonplace.
“Doubtless ministers have acted in good faith, but today’s is not a fit legal environment for a democratic and free society.
“Parliament must take back control.”
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7.30am update: Labour calls for students to be allowed home for Christman
Labour is calling for university students to be allowed to go home at Christmasamid fears the coronavirus outbreaks could keep the locked down in halls when term ends.
Thousands of students are currently confined to their rooms following a surge in cases at institutions including Glasgow, Manchester Metropolitan and Edinburgh Napier.
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week declined to rule out asking students to stay on campus over Christmas.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green has written to her opposite number Gavin Williamson, urging him to “promise” students that such restrictions will not be imposed.
She said it would be “deeply unfair to see students forced to remain in their student accommodation” and asked Mr Williamson to “work with universities to ensure every student has access to testing to allow a safe journey home” for Christmas.
8.19am update: Coronavirus key workers to be honoured
Frontline workers who played a key role in the coronavirus pandemic response will be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours next month, the Prime Minister said.
Boris Johnson praised the “dedication, courage and compassion” shown by the recipients, who will be honoured along with people recognised for a broad range of achievements.
The list, to be published on October 10, will include doctors, nurses, fundraisers and volunteers who stepped up amid the crisis.
Mr Johnson said: “As we all redouble our efforts to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives this winter, I am pleased we have an opportunity to recognise those who have given so much to this country already.
“The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest health challenge in our lifetime.
“We all have to play our part, but the dedication, courage and compassion seen from these recipients, be it responding on the front line or out in their communities providing support to the most vulnerable, is an inspiration to us all.
“We owe them a debt of gratitude and the 2020 Queen’s Birthday honours will be the first of many occasions where we can thank them as a nation.”
More than 17 million people are under lockdown in the UK (Image: PA)
7.54am update: Cardiff and Swansea braced for new lockdown restrictions
New coronavirus restrictions come into affect in Cardiff and Swansea at 6pm today taking the total number of UK citizens under stricter lockdown rules to 17 million.
People will not be able to enter or leave the areas without a reasonable excuse. They will not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with, with extended households suspended.
Bans on households mixing came into force in Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds on yesterday, while stricter rules are already in force across large swathes of north-west England, West Yorkshire, the North East and the Midlands, as well as parts of west Scotland.
A ban on households mixing indoors was extended across Northern Ireland earlier this week.
University students could face Christmas under lockdown (Image: PA)
7.30am update: Labour calls for students to be allowed home for Christmas
Labour is calling for university students to be allowed to go home at Christmasamid fears the coronavirus outbreaks could keep the locked down in halls when term ends.
Thousands of students are currently confined to their rooms following a surge in cases at institutions including Glasgow, Manchester Metropolitan and Edinburgh Napier.
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week declined to rule out asking students to stay on campus over Christmas.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green has written to her opposite number Gavin Williamson, urging him to “promise” students that such restrictions will not be imposed.
She said it would be “deeply unfair to see students forced to remain in their student accommodation” and asked Mr Williamson to “work with universities to ensure every student has access to testing to allow a safe journey home” for Christmas.
