Britain is under stay at home orders, with rising coronavirus cases putting pressure on NHS services as highly-transmissible mutations of the virus spread across the globe. Current lockdown rules have seen non-essential shops close, children homeschooled and Britons told to only leave home for essential reasons.
The Government is ramping up its vaccination efforts, with figures showing three million have received doses since the scheme launched.
Despite the positive vaccine news, the number of cases is continuing to grow – with some calling for stricter lockdown rules.
Scotland will see stricter measures in place from Saturday, with hospitality services offering takeaway only allowed to serve customers outside, and click and collect services offered on an appointment basis.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel wanted a “mega-lockdown”, the country’s newspaper Bild reported, which would involve shutting down the country almost completely for fear of the fast-spreading variant of the virus first detected in Britain.
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Currently, Britons can meet one member from another household to exercise outside, however, this could be banned under stricter rules.
Face masks may be made compulsory in places such as offices, in queues and other outdoor locations with heavy footfall.
Support bubbles could be dropped, preventing Britons from mixing outside of their immediate household.
Places of worship could close, and any venues offering takeaway may have to do so outside rather than in shops.
Britain could also follow in France’s steps by placing a curfew in the most at risk areas.
France is strengthening border controls and will bring forward its night curfew by two hours to 6pm for at least a two weeks.
A curfew of 8pm had been in place, however, cases had soared in recent days causing the Government to take drastic action.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said: “We must do everything to prevent this variant from spreading and ensure that it does not become the dominant variant.”
