Responding to the announcement by the Prime Minister today to toughen Christmas measures and place London and the South East in Tier 4 restrictions, BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said:

“After days of warnings from the medical and scientific community to review the Christmas rules, the Government’s announcement today and introduction of Tier 4 restrictions in London and the South East, is absolutely the right decision and one which will save lives.  

“With the virus rushing through the country at an alarming rate, the BMA has been warning that our NHS and its staff are already at the point of collapse. As many hospitals are already full to capacity and some are even unable to provide patients with the urgent care they need, these are necessary measures to ease pressure on services.

“While the announcement today will be hugely disappointing to the millions of people now having to cancel Christmas plans, these tougher measures are necessary to protect our loved ones and those most vulnerable in our society, as well as giving our health service a fighting chance to cope with the incredible demand it is experiencing.

“We all wanted to have some semblance of Christmas this year but given these latest developments, particularly with the emergence of this new faster spreading strain, the best thing we can do now is stay at home to protect each other.  There is hope that in a few months the vaccination programme will allow family, relatives and friends to mix together once again.

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Notes to editors

The BMA is a trade union and professional association representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.

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