This is what Sheffield residents think of the idea of a circuit breaker lockdown

A circuit breaker lockdown involves a two week long national lockdown, which would see certain businesses forced to close or be regulated, including pubs, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

Household mixing indoors would be banned to help limit the risk of transmission, while travel would be limited to essential purposes only. Schools and essential workplaces, however, would remain open.

Sheffield Star readers have had their say on whether or not they believe this would be needed.

Susanne Pollini said: “The advice from SAGE is yes. So it's either 'follow the science' or have the Tier system. The only other alternative is shield the elderly and vulnerable and let the rest of us carry on in a near normal situation. There is a fair bit of evidence that a circuit breaker might bring down the R- Rate. Test and Trace needs to be fixed for sure.”

Annie Lea said she agreed with the idea

She said: “We need a short lock down while they sort out the test and trace to be actually run by the NHS not private companies. If we want to be able to break the cycle we are in now, something has got to change. It’s no use comparing this to flu, it doesn’t behave in the same way. The transmission between people is drastically different. If we want normality back, the government needs to admit it’s got it wrong and look again.”

Shelley Gott was quite stark in her response, but it showed how passionate she was about her answer.

She said: “Yes if we want to stop the virus and people dying.”

Claire Storey said she thought the action, if it takes place, would be coming too late.

She said: “Yes. It should have been done two weeks ago. The government are only waiting so its fits in with half term holidays.”

Carolyn Sutcliffe said she believes another lockdown would be a good idea – and that the restrictions should be tougher.

She said: “Yes, stop all essential travel for at least two weeks.”

Tracy Roberts didn’t believe a two week lockdown would be effective enough.

She said: “It wouldn't slow it down, it would just delay it. Two weeks would not be long enough.”

Janice Hopson said she believed another lockdown may not help in the long run.

She said: “No lockdowns or people will never build up immunity to this virus.”

Samantha Lyons said: “No! We need to get the elderly and those with underlying health conditions more protected and the rest of us should get on with our lives.”

Tracy Godfrey said: “No. We need to live our lives again and build up our immune systems.”

Kerry Louise Darby simply questioned: “If Lockdown one worked, why do we need Lockdown two, and if it didn't work, why are they doing it again?”