SAGE called for urgent measures including a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown – but Boris Johnson barely did any of it. Here’s the full list of what he ignored, plus a few things the Tory leader did do
SAGE shortlisted five measures including a two-week ‘circuit break’ lockdown and the closure of pubs, cafes and bars to halt spiralling rates of virus.
But the PM only implemented one of the five measures after the SAGE meeting on September 21, after weighing them up against the hit to the economy.
SAGE also said the 10pm pub curfew would have a “marginal” impact and Test and Trace was having little impact.
Boris Johnson’s spokesman today refused to say if he was still “guided by the science”. Downing Street said the Tory leader listened to his experts – but also had to take the economy into account.
Asked if the PM was still “guided by the science”, the spokesman replied: “You’ve heard me say on many occasions the government receives advice from a wide range of scientific experts, and also from economists. But it’s ultimately for ministers to make decisions.”
