Covid: Medics and police urge public to stay at home over ‘crucial’ weekend
Bending rules could be ‘fatal’ and police ready to issue fines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Any deviation from the Covid-19 rules could be fatal, medics and the police have warned as they urged Britons to stay at home over this “crucial” weekend.
The UK’s R rate has been estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.3 by government scientists, but it is rising to 1.4 in several parts of the country, compared with 0.9 at 2020’s peak.
Hospitals have been told to free up as many beds as possible in preparation for an influx of patients as health chiefs warned the NHS is about to face the “toughest part” of the pandemic.
Workers on the frontline are pleading with the public to act as if they have the virus to stop the spread and ease the pressure on the NHS.
Martin Hewitt, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, warned that Britain is at “the most dangerous stage” of the pandemic and said officers will not hesitate to fine people breaking the regulations.
“While the vast majority of us follow the rules and stay at home, police officers will be visible in communities tackling those who are not playing their part,” he said.
“We will not hesitate to issue fines to those deliberately breaching the regulations with no regard for the safety of others.”
The new variant of Covid-19 is spreading up to 70 per cent faster than the variant in 2020 and one in 30 people are infected with the virus in some parts of the country.
TV and NHS medic Dr Ranj Singh urged the nation to remain vigilant.
“I know it is tough and we are bored with the guidelines, but on behalf of my colleagues in the NHS, please stay at home this weekend,” he said.
“I can see it in my hospital, staff are struggling to cope with the amount of care needed to be given to more and more patients suffering from this terribly debilitating virus.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments