The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested Tier 3 areas like Liverpool could move into Tier 4 restrictions.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain for the first time in 2021, the MP was quizzed by Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on why the country hasn’t already been placed into a national lockdown.
Infection rates continue to rise across the UK with more than 50,000 people having tested positive for COVID-19 for the sixth day in a row.
Mr Hancock said he will not ‘rule anything out’ as the government considers imposing another national lockdown in England in the coming days.
Liverpool and the City Region are currently in Tier 3 having been moved up from Tier 2 in the last review due to a rise in cases.
The Health Secretary stated he didn’t want to ‘move too fast’ in placing the entire country in yet another lockdown as it is only the Tier 3 areas which have seen ‘fastest rises.’
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Mr Hancock said: “We are prepared to take whatever action is necessary and I think we’ve demonstrated that.
“We often get criticised for moving too fast, people say there is no certainty, but unfortunately dealing with a virus like this sometimes you do have to move very fast indeed.”
GMB presenter Susanna Reid interrupted Mr Hancock quizzing him on whether the government will push for a third national lockdown. She said: “Are you bringing in a new national lockdown?”
The Health Secretary responded with evidence from data analysis. He added: “We look at the data all the time Susanna and we will take the action that is needed based on public health advice.”
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Susanna added: “You don’t think that’s necessary today?”
The MP said: “At the moment, the fastest rises are in the Tier 3 areas and we’ve shown if we need to move Tier 3 into Tier 4 then we will.”
Susanna said: “That does suggest that Tier 3 areas can expect to go into Tier 4 areas imminently.”
