Restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses could could be shut or asked to close early for a few weeks to stop a surge in coronavirus cases in England from getting out of control as part of a national “circuit break”.

The measures are being considered, according to the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, as the number of cases of the virus is doubling every seven to eight days, with more than 3,300 new cases reported on Thursday.

Schools and workplaces would remain open but hospitality businesses would have “circuit breaks” – essentially shutting their doors or changing their opening hours for a few weeks.

New lockdown measures are also expected to be introduced in Lancashire – with the exception of Blackpool, the BBC reported. It follows local lockdowns brought in elsewhere in the north of England.

The government is considering the proposal for circuit breaks, although a final decision has not been made. Boris Johnson is said to be against another national lockdown, which would mean shops and businesses would close.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, told Sky News a new national lockdown was the “last line of defence” against coronavirus but said the government would “take the necessary action to keep people safe”.

Under the “circuit break”, restrictions could be reintroduced in some public spaces nationwide for a few weeks, but schools and workplaces would be kept open.

One of the ideas suggested by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) is that some parts of the hospitality sector could be asked to close.

The prime minister is also considering the possibility of limiting the opening hours of pubs and restaurants across the country.

An announcement about a potential lockdown in north-west England is expected from the government on Friday.

The restrictions for Lancashire, but not Blackpool, are thought to include a ban on households mixing and a requirement for hospitality businesses to close early. However, it is not yet known when the measures will come in but the BBC reported it would be imminent.

During a meeting on Wednesday night, the government’s chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, and medical officer, Chris Witty, predicted another serious outbreak of the disease. They forecast that there would be a significant number of deaths by the end of October without urgent intervention.