Politicians have warned that the government is considering a “blanket ban” to prevent older people leaving their homes during the coronavirus crisis.
The health minister, Lord James Bethell, twice refused to deny that older people will be told to stay in extended lockdown in response to questions in the Lords on Wednesday.
“I was very concerned by the government’s refusal to answer my question,” said Lord David Blunkett, the former home secretary. “Older people must not be subjected to arbitrary incarceration as well as isolation.”
Blunkett asked Bethell what assessment the government has made of the impact of the restriction of movement on those defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable and what plans they have to change those restrictions.
“The more the government make restrictions age-related rather than risk-related, the more they risk people pushing back very heavily and refusing to keep to the rules,” he said.
“The government picked the arbitrary age of 70 out of the air back in March when they announced the initial lockdown based on age. Age is no longer a risk factor unless underlying health conditions are attached.”