Matt Hancock fears coronavirus impact on mental health 'We've got to respond to it'
MATT HANCOCK has revealed he is worried about the impact of coronavirus on the mental health of Brits as he explained reimposing lockdown restrictions are challenging for the whole country.
Matt Hancock on mental health impact during lockdown
Matt Hancock explained he is worried about the impacts of coronavirus on health conditions including mental health. It comes as parts of northwest England have had social distancing restrictions reinforced after a spike in coronavirus cases. The Health Secretary noted that the rapid response to these spikes are needed as COVID-19 is known to double every three days.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Hancock said: "That is one of the things I worry about.
"There are many impacts of coronavirus including on other health conditions.
"It is something I'm concerned about. We're doing everything we possibly can to mitigate it.
"These are challenges for the whole country.
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"We are all living through this virus and this pandemic and it's the first time anything on this scale has happened in modern history.
"We've got to respond to it as best we can. I just try to communicate as much and as effectively as I am able to about what we're trying to achieve.
"But we do have to change things when we see the virus spreading because we know that without any mitigations the virus doubles every three days."
His comments come as the Government announced local lockdown measures in Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire, banning people from different households meeting indoors or in gardens.
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The new rules also ban members of two different households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues, but these businesses will remain open for those visiting individually or from the same household.
Mr Lord, founder of Parklife festival and the Warehouse Project, feared the new rules could lead to pubs, restaurants and bars closing their doors once again due to a reduced footfall, and some even permanently.
"There's a lot of panic at the moment," he told PA news agency.
"The night time economy only opened a few weeks ago and is already on its knees, this feels like the final hammer blow."
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Mr Hancock said two households can still meet "at a social distance in a public place outdoors" such as a park, but meeting another household in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant space is not allowed in the newly restricted area of the North West.
Mr Lord criticised the Government over the timing of the announcement, which was made on Thursday evening a few hours before coming into effect at midnight.
He said: "All the produce had been brought in for this weekend, staff rotas were done.
"On what could be the hottest day of the year the beer gardens would have been heaving, to drop this last night is shambolic."
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