MPs to vote on extending lockdown rules until October

MPs to vote on extending lockdown rules until October

On Thursday, MPs will vote on whether to extend England’s lockdown rules until October.

The Coronavirus Act emergency legislation will be discussed and voted on in the House of Commons, in which MPs will be asked to extend the law for another six months.

If the vote is passed, lockdown – or some lockdown rules – will be brought back or stay in place.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a roadmap to gradually bring England out of lockdown. Rules are set to be lifted on 29 March, 12 April, 17 May and 21 June.

However, when he introduced the plans, he stated that lockdown rules could stay in place for longer if England fails to meet key targets.

Targets include the level of vaccine roll-out, the rate of Covid-19 infections, and the number of Covid-19 deaths.

Conservative MP Mark Harper, a member of the Coronavirus Research Group, has said the prospective extension of rules raises “justifiable concerns”.

🤔 If we are *really* to believe that the Govt’s roadmap will be “reclaiming our freedoms” by 21 June, why would Parliament be asked to extend the Coronavirus Act all the way until October❓

⚠️ That is the question MPs must consider and Ministers must answer this week 4/4

— Mark Harper (@Mark_J_Harper) March 20, 2021

So far, 2.13 million people in the United Kingdom have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 29 million people have received their first dose of the vaccine.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock Tweeted about a “record day of vaccinations”.

I’m delighted that yesterday we saw another RECORD day of vaccinations across the UK with 873,784 jabs being administered.

Vaccinations are our way out of this, so when you get the call, get the jab. pic.twitter.com/FJQP9i5Wq5

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 21, 2021

Another Conservative MP and member of the Coronavirus Research Group, Steve Baker, told Sky News that he would be voting against the six-month extension of the Coronavirus Act.

Conservative MP Steve Baker says 'I expect to vote against' the six month extension of the Coronavirus Act.

He adds 'the government need to answer why, as so many people are vaccinated against #COVID19, they're not relaxing restrictions'.https://t.co/dr15MQYTQ2 pic.twitter.com/m5qv5TGhpF

— Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 21, 2021

If the majority of MPs vote against the extension of lockdown rules on Thursday, from 29 March six people or two households will be allowed to meet outdoors.

Travel outside the local area will also be permitted, and outdoor sports facilities will be open to the public once again.

On 12 April, non-essential retail shops will be permitted to open, along with outdoor hospitality, gyms and swimming pools.

The vote will take place on Thursday in the House of Commons.

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