British prime minister Boris Johnson announced the U.K. would be entering a second month-long national lockdown on Saturday, but senior cabinet minister Michael Gove said on Sunday that the lockdown could go on for longer.
"We can definitively say that unless we take action now, the (health service) is going to be overwhelmed in ways that none of us could countenance," Gove said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
In the interview, Sky News host Sophy Ridge questioned if the lockdown would be lifted on Dec. 2 as is currently planned or if the government would look at data before making any further decisions and possibly extend the lockdown.
Gove said the government would be looking at what data suggests regarding the rate at which the virus was spreading and act accordingly.
When Ridge asked if his response meant a possible extension of the lockdown he said, “Yes.”
Under the current lockdown, all non-essential businesses will be closed including leisure and entertainment venues. People may leave their home for work, education, necessities and exercise either alone or with one other person from their household. The shutdown is expected to go into effect on Thursday Nov. 5.
Two weeks ago, Ridge also pressed Gove after he stated that there would be no national lockdown. Gove on Sunday defended the apparent reversal by the government.
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