The health secretary has warned nationwide restrictions cannot be ruled out if there is a second wave of coronavirus.
Matt Hancock said the possibility of a second wave is ‘a very serious threat’ and that other countries are already seeing a spike in cases.
But the UK is managing to keep the number of new cases ‘flat’ through the test and trace system and local lockdowns, he told The Times.
He said the UK could be battling bad flu and a growth in coronavirus as people spend more time indoors in a worst-case scenario.
‘Cases go up again, and we have to use very extensive local lockdowns or take further national action,’ he said.
‘We don’t rule that out, but we don’t want to see it.’
It comes as local lockdown restrictions are to be eased in parts of Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, which will allow social gatherings between two homes from Wednesday.
Mr Hancock added a second wave could be ‘avoidable but it’s not easy’, with schools reopening next week presenting new challenges in stopping the spread of the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that schools were safe to attend as he encouraged every pupil to return to the classroom.
‘The evidence is overwhelming that it is in the interest of the wellbeing and the health of children, young people, pupils, to be back in school rather than missing out any more,’ he said.
‘So, it is the healthy, safe thing to do.’
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