Boris Johnson’s “mismanagement” of the easing of virus restrictions risks a second wave of infections, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned.
In a Guardian interview, he urged the PM to “get a grip” and restore public confidence in ministers’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
But No 10 said it was proceeding with caution to secure a safe recovery.
It comes as the government is to outline further details of its quarantine plans later.
Home Secretary Priti Patel is to tell MPs that the proposals – which have been met with criticism from many Conservative MPs – are necessary to avoid the risk of another wave of coronavirus infections.
From Monday, the majority of those arriving in the UK will be told to self-isolate for 14 days.
But Portugal’s foreign minister has told the BBC that his government is talking to Home Office officials about a so-called “air bridge” agreement so that tourists returning from his country can avoid the restrictions.
Health minister Edward Argar said he hopes people will be able to go on holiday this year but cautioned “I’m not going to say a particular date on when that might happen”.
“We will have to be guided by how the disease behaves, controlling any risk of a second wave and controlling the disease,” he told BBC Breakfast.
In the Guardian, the Labour leader also said there was a growing concern that Mr Johnson was now “winging it” over moves to reopen schools and relax shielding advice.
Echoing Sir Keir’s criticism of the government, shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have seen an exit from the lockdown with no strategy to make it work.”
The Labour MP said the easing of lockdown restrictions was “the time of maximum danger” and that the party was calling for an “effective” test, trace and isolate strategy, “fast access to testing” and “clear” public messaging.
In one of his first acts as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer announced he would not indulge in opposition for opposition’s sake.
This was seen as a decisive break from his own party’s recent past.
But now he wants to create more distance between the government and the opposition.
Some say they have noted a more hostile, less consensual tone towards Boris Johnson from Sir Keir.
But, in truth, Sir Keir’s stated policy of “constructive criticism” has already tended to emphasise the latter of those two words at Prime Minister’s Questions.
And his approach today has much in common with his approach before – to put down a marker in case things go wrong.
The Labour leader is determined to stay one step ahead of the government.
So, by raising questions now over the easing of lockdown while doubts remain about the alert level and the efficacy of the track and trace system, he is positioning the party to distance itself further from the government’s approach if the R number goes up.
Source:Â bbc.com