Army brought in for ‘rapid testing of whole UK towns and cities’
Boris Johnson revealed the plan as he announced a second lockdown.
Boris Johnson has called in the army to help deliver new ‘rapid’ coronavirus testing ‘of whole UK towns and cities’.
The prime minister revealed on Saturday millions of tests which could make a diagnosis within 15 minutes would soon be available.
He announced there would be a ‘steady but massive expansion’ of the kits beginning in the next few days and this would be aided by the armed forces.
‘The Army has been brought in to work on the logistics and the programme will begin in a matter of days,’ the PM said during the press conference where he announced a second national lockdown in England.
Johnson added the new tests could be utilised in several situations, including being used on ‘whole towns and even whole cities’.
He said they could also allow partners to be present at the birth of their child in labour wards.
The PM also announced the UK could possibly have a vaccine early next year as he laid out the new restrictions that will begin on Thursday and last until at least 2 December.
All non-essential shops, pubs restaurants, and gyms will be forced to close.
Schools, nurseries, universities and essential shops, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, will be permitted to stay open.
Senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted on Sunday the lockdown could be extended if the virus is not brought under control within the next month.
He said if the R rate is not successfully brought below 1 by the end of the proposed lockdown period the government will be forced to extend restrictions.
The Duchy of Lancaster said ‘we will always take the decision in the national interest’ based on scientific evidence.
He told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: ‘We are going to review it on December 2 but we are always driven by what the data shows.
‘On the basis of what we’ve been told, we believe all the measures we are putting into place will reduce the rate below 1.’
But when asked directly if the nation could be facing more than a month of lockdown if the reinfection rate is not brought down, he finally responded: ‘Yes.’
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