The Government Have Denied Reports Of An October ‘Firebreak’ Lockdown

This morning, ‘October lockdown’ was trending on Google. Why? Because, according to the I newspaper, the government has drawn up plans for an October ‘firebreak’ lockdown in the event that coronavirus-related hospitalisations continue at their current level.

Current figures show that 6,573 patients were admitted to hospital with coronavirus in the last seven days – up 3.7% on last week. Coronavirus cases have also increased by 12.2% in the last week, with 263,885 people testing positive in the last seven days.

What is a firebreak lockdown?

According to the i, senior government scientists fear that current rates of hospitalisation will overload the NHS. A member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) told them the UK is about to enter ‘an extended peak’ of infections and hospitalisations, which could in turn overwhelm the NHS and force the government re-introduce lockdown restrictions.

Calling it a ‘firebreak lockdown’, the source said it is the same precautionary break Sage suggested last year prior to October half-term, which was ignored by the government at the time. Deaths in October 2020 were five times higher than they are currently.

‘We are going to be at a peak, albeit an extended peak, quite soon, so it’s not really the same situation as last year, when failure to reduce prevalence would have resulted in collapse of NHS and people dying in car parks,’ the source said. ‘Hospitals might be overflowing before deaths reach the same level. Acting early will prevent this level.’

While the scientist does not expect the government to consider a full lockdown, he did state that a range of measures could be introduced and October half-term would likely be extended from one week to two.

Are we going back into lockdown for October half term 2021?

So, are the government listening? Not according to the Department for Education. ‘It is not true that the government is planning a lockdown or firebreak around the October half term,’ a tweet from the department read.

A spokesperson for the prime minister also denied the report. While they confirmed that plans had been arranged for a range of scenarios, they also said that ‘these kinds of measures would only be reintroduced as a last resort to prevent unsustainable pressure on our NHS.’

‘I think we've been clear throughout that we will take action, and indeed we have done when necessary to protect our NHS,’ the spokesperson said – adding that in the past, the UK did not have protection from vaccines making lockdowns necessary.

The government are also offering booster vaccines to the most vulnerable later this month, which vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said will lower the risk of another lockdown being necessary.

‘I'm not going to be arrogant and say to you this is a done deal, it's all over, it's fine, this virus is no longer in pandemic stage,’ he told BBC Breakfast. ‘But I hope through the booster programme we can transition the virus from pandemic to endemic status and deal with it year in, year out... but not have to close down our economy or take the severe measures we had to sadly take in December of last year.’

When is October half term 2021?

This year, October half term begins on Friday, 22 Oct 2021 and will run till Mon, 1 Nov 2021. If extended, it would last another week.

What was the October 2020 'circuit break' lockdown?

Last year, the same warnings of an October lockdown spread. Dubbed a 'circuit break' lockdown, Sage scientists and Labour leader Kier Starmer requested that the government re-introduce certain lockdown restrictions after coronavirus cases began to overwhelm the NHS.

'It would mean only essential work and travel,' he said at the time. 'That everyone who can work from home should do so. Non-essential offices should be closed. Household mixing should be restricted to one household except for those who’ve formed support "bubbles". And all pubs, bars and restaurants would be closed for two to three weeks – but compensated so that no business loses out because of the sacrifices we all need to make. It should also mean the UK Parliament moves to remote working.'

At the time, reports stated that the government were absolutely considering a two-week 'circuit break' lockdown during October half term. However, instead the government enforced local lockdowns on the 14th October and the three-tier system. In November, a month-long national lockdown was enforced, returning to the three-tier system in December for just a few weeks before a third national lockdown from January 6th was introduced. Looking back at that, no wonder everyone went so wild for the June 21st 'Freedom Day'...

Read More:

Giovanna Fletcher: 'Children Are Suffering – There’s So Much Change'

From Party Girl To Nights Alone On The Sofa: How I Became Part Of 'Generation No Friends'

Lockdown Might Be Ending, But Social Anxiety Is Just Getting Started