LAWMAKERS could tighten the national lockdown over fears that the public are not taking Covid-19 restrictions seriously, leading to criticism of the Government for its handling of the pandemic.

Coronavirus cases reached a height of 54,940 daily across the UK.

Information was leaked to the press this weekend that Government ministers could give law enforcement power to issue a fine after one warning about breaches of the restrictions.

Labour county councillor for Keswick Tony Lywood believes the Government’s handling of the pandemic is inadequate compared to the that of other nations. He said: “Right now I really feel for the police and authorities having to manage the daily bungling edicts from central government and the yo-yo of lockdown and release.

“We have really good templates of what can be done in Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand who have all pursued a zero Covid strategy with pretty good results.

“Let’s learn from their successes and do not forget that we are an island. After a proper lockdown we need to have a working track, trace and isolate system put in place, a 14-day proper isolation quarantine for those arriving into this county and effective closure of the country to all but essential travel. Had we taken a zero Covid-19 policy from the beginning then we would not be in this mess.”

Conservative backbench MP Mark Jenkinson said: “I am concerned that there is lockdown fatigue in some quarters. Those flouting the rules are in a minority and further restrictions might not have the desired effect.”

He added that it is not yet time to tighten restrictions: “We haven’t given the current lockdown time to have any effect.”

Mr Jenkinson said following the January surge in cases, we will see a slowing caused by the third lockdown.

He said: “It’s easy to criticise from the opposition benches.”

“There’s not a lot more we can do outside of shutting more industries. Support bubbles are incredibly important to people who live on their own and I think that’s something we’ve learned from the first lockdown.”

Mr Jenkinson said: “There likely is a number of fuller inquiries to come.” He said that will be when Government knows what it should have done at each stage of the pandemic.”