Prime Minister Boris Johnson today said that tougher measures will be announced soon to control the coronavirus.
Speaking during a visit to Chase Farm Hospital in north London to meet some of the first people to receive the Oxford vaccine on Monday Mr Johnson said there were “tough tough” weeks to come.
He added: “If you look at the numbers there’s no question we will have to take tougher measures and we will be announcing those in due course.”
Earlier today Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a third national lockdown for England could not be ruled out.
Scientists who advise the Government have said closing schools alone may not be enough to cut the spread of the virus.
And Mr Hancock said the virus is 'spreading fastest' in some areas where Tier Three rues are currently in place.
Tougher measures, or a national lockdown, could including switching all schools to remote learning, closing non-essential retail across the country, telling people to stay at home and asking vulnerable people to shield.
Mr Johnson said that the limiting factor in expanding the UK’s vaccine rollout was not supply or staff but waiting for batches to be approved.
He added: “We have the capacity, the issue is to do with supply of the vaccine.
“It’s not so much a manufacturing issue although that’s part of it.
“Each batch needs to be properly approved and quality controlled.”
Mr Johnson said there will be a “massive ramp up” in vaccination numbers.
He added: “There’s a massive ramp up operation now going on.
“The rate limiting factor is now not supply of vaccines although we want that to go faster, it’s getting them properly tested and getting them to the NHS.
“It’s not the ability to distribute the vaccine, it’s not the shortage of staff.
“It’s getting it properly tested. That will ramp up in the weeks ahead.”
