Councils given more powers amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus hitting

FEARS about a second, more deadly wave of coronavirus hitting the nation in the winter are being taken seriously by Whitehall, a top minister has insisted.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage 
Photography By Habibur RahmanGosport MP Caroline Dinenage 
Photography By Habibur Rahman
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage Photography By Habibur Rahman

Caroline Dinenage said the government remained focused on combating a fresh surge of infections, which scientists have predicted could kill up to 120,000 Brits in a worst case scenario.

Prime minster Boris Johnson yesterday pledged a further £3bn to the NHS to help ‘prepare’ it for a huge spike in demand.

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Seeking to reassure people in her Gosport constituency, the culture minister told The News current infection rates were low and that it was crucial to re-open businesses still hibernating following the pandemic.

Speaking after the Mr Johnson’s announcement, culture minister Ms Dinenage said: ‘It is good news that our rate of transmission means that we can continue to slowly reopen businesses, workplaces and venues in August. It is vital for our local economy to try and establish a “new normal” as soon as safely possible.

‘But many of my constituents have also raised concerns about a potential second wave, so the additional funding announcement and the details of the preparations being made are welcome and reassuring.’

Downing Street said the new NHS cash would be available immediately.

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It would allow the continued funding of the temporary Nightingale hospitals until the end of March 2021.

The PM added that testing capacity would also be ramped up to 500,000 a day by the end of October.

Speaking during a conference in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: ‘Demand for testing is not the only challenge that winter will bring. It's possible that the virus will be more virulent in the winter months and it's certain that the NHS will face the usual annual winter pressures.’

He added: ‘We're making sure we're ready for winter and planning for the worst.’

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Mr Johnson also said the government would give local authorities greater powers to enforce local lockdowns if needed.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of Portsmouth City Council, welcomed the move, which he said was ‘sensible’.

He added: ‘I welcome this in principle but I don’t think it’s going to be an issue here at the moment.

‘Our infection levels are very, very low – we’re one of the very safest places in the country – and long may that continue. So I hope that would never be an issue here in Portsmouth.’

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Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP, added the area’s economy had faced ‘huge challenges under the weight of Covid-19’ and said it was important trade was resumed.

But he added: ‘I recognise the need for our economy to get back on track and start growing again, but this must be done safely and with public confidence.

‘Local businesses must have faith in the government’s advice and residents must have faith that the government’s scientific advisers support any further easement measures.’

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