Police set to have new powers to arrest those not self-isolating

The government are set to give police new powers to arrest those who are not self-isolating, Matt Hancock said.

The Health Secretary said “we will stop at nothing” in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

Hancock said that bars, restaurants, shops except supermarkets and pharmacies may all close, he further announced that over 70s will soon be told to stay indoors for up to four months.

Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, “We are going to take the powers to make sure that we can quarantine people if they are a risk to public health, yes, and that’s important.

“I doubt that actually we will need to use it much because people have been very responsible.”

Hancock confirmed, that on Tuesday the emergency legislation will be put before parliament, and the outlined Bill will be published on Thursday.

The government has stepped up their “wartime” extreme measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but Boris Johnson has refused to rule out placing entire cities in the UK in total lockdown.

ITV’s Shebab Khan, who spoke with government sources said on Saturday evening, “The approach and strategy is to delay the spread of the virus so the measures could include closing down schools, bars, clubs, shops, restaurants.

“Tonight, the government has refused to rule out locking down entire cities if it gets to that stage.”

Hancock said on Sunday that every Briton aged over 70 will be told “within the coming weeks” to stay at home, possibly for up to four months.