The British Medical Association (BMA) has criticised the Government, after they said they would not implement Plan B restrictions just yet.
On Wednesday Sajid Javid rejected calls for Plan B measures despite predicting that infections could reach unprecedented levels.
As a result, the doctor's trade union has said that not taking further action would constitute “wilful negligence” by ministers, with the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed a possibility in the winter.
In the last seven days there have been 320,594 cases of Covid-19 reported, according to the Government's Coronavirus Dashboard, with that rate still climbing.
“Now is the time to act”
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) October 21, 2021
Doctors have criticised ministers over their refusal to bring back some Covid rules in England. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, from the British Medical Association, tells #BBCBreakfast case numbers are a ‘heading in the wrong direction’. https://t.co/zwZ3XmUNfG pic.twitter.com/6aSicMtujo
Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA’s council chair, said the Government should not be waiting around.
He said: "The Government should be making sure that the public are expected and required to follow simple infection control measures, such as the wearing of masks in indoor public settings, including public transport.
"Now is the time to act. We have enough evidence that this is a trajectory heading in the wrong direction."
What are Plan B Covid restrictions?
Key restrictions to be reintroduced would be face masks, working from home and Covid vaccine passports.
The Plan B proposals draw on the findings of a review into vaccine passports earlier this year, which concluded that certification could help keep events going and businesses open.
Government plans set out how all visitors aged 18 and over to certain events could be required to be fully vaccinated.
The events listed are all nightclubs, and other venues open after 1am with alcohol, music, and dancing, and indoor events with 500 or more attendees where they are likely to stand and mix to a significant degree, or move around during the event, such as music venues or large receptions.
The plan also includes outdoor, crowded settings with 4,000 or more attendees where they are likely to stand, or move around during the event, such as festivals, and any settings with 10,000 or more people, such as large sports and music stadia.
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