In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, Hancock stood by the government’s threat of issuing exorbitant fines of up to £10,000 ($12,920) to anyone who fails to self-quarantine for 14 days after testing positive for coronavirus. The measure also applies to those who may have come in contact with infectious persons. The penalty will be in place from September 28.
Marr expressed doubts over how such a measure could be realistically enforced, noting that “surveillance” would be needed to ensure people stayed at home.
“Would you call the police on a neighbor?” Marr asked the health secretary.
“Yes, and for the self-isolation part, that is absolutely necessary because that is how we break the chains of transmission,” he replied.
The exchange sparked a furor on Twitter, with many observers noting that Hancock didn’t call the police when Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s special adviser Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules that restricted non-essential travel.
The health secretary was also bombarded by a colorful array of insults. One social media user crowned him a “tinpot dictator,” while others denounced him as a “weasel”and a “power crazed maniac.”
Observers argued that Hancock was advocating policies that would create a “slippery slope” leading to more invasive surveillance in the UK.
Not everyone trashed the minister’s comments, however. Some expressed support for Hancock’s approach to the health crisis, arguing that the public needed to be “responsible” in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Hancock insisted on Sunday that a second national lockdown could be avoided if “everybody follows the rules,” but cautioned that the government was “prepared to take action if that’s what’s necessary.”
His pro-tattling position appears to clash with earlier comments from the prime minister, who warned against creating a “sneak culture” after Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed to tell on people congregating in groups larger than six.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!
© 2020, paradox. All rights reserved.
The man who critically injured Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was a fierce…
The Asia-Pacific region should be free of military blocs because of their potential to undermine…
Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed with an honor guard after his plane touched down…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has set the stage for his state visit to China by…
С каждым днем онлайн-казино становятся все более популярными среди азартных игроков. И это вполне логично:…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially appointed Andrey Belousov as the new minister of defense.Belousov,…