Although the latest 48-hour data shows a slight reduction in infections from the new Tier 5, with a 14-day lag between infection and hospitalisations, and some NHS hospitals already at breaking point, Ministers may have to consider measures such as:

•  mandatory face masks or a short sharp two-week total lockdown  
•  a short sharp two week total lockdown

to avoid a longer drawn out crisis.

We need to do everything we can quickly to get the R number back under control to avoid a more damaging long, drawn-out lockdown.

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