Mayor demands swift action to prevent COVID-19 spread in London

Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that a second national lockdown could be imposed in Britain if people do not follow government rules designed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Britain is at a tipping point on COVID-19, Reuters quoted Hancock as saying.

“The nation faces a tipping point and we have a choice,” Hancock told Sky News.

“The choice is either that everybody follows the rules … or we will have to take more measures.”

Hancock later told the BBC that a second national lockdown was possible option, Reuters added.

Hancock was asked on Times Radio about the possibility of Londoners being told to work from home later this week, and said: “Well, I wouldn’t rule it out.”

COVID-19 cases have risen sharply in recent weeks, with 3,899 reported on Sunday, and London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan demanded swift action to prevent its spread in the capital.

“The mayor wants fast action as we cannot risk a delay, as happened in March,” his spokeswoman said.

“It is better for both health and business to move too early than too late.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced fines of up to £10,000 ($12,900) for people in England who break new rules requiring them to self-isolate if they have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

In addition to tighter rules on social gatherings across the country, several cities and regions in Britain have had ‘local lockdowns’ imposed, limiting even more strictly when, where and how many people can meet up socially.