However much he tries to imitate King Canute, the virus seems to be winning.
'A sharp rise in coronavirus cases is a "great concern" and a sign that people have relaxed too much, England's deputy chief medic has said.
The UK's weekly rate of new coronavirus cases has risen above 20 per 100,000 people - the rate at which it considers imposing quarantine measures on people arriving from abroad.
In the seven days to 7 September, there were 21.3 cases per 100,000, and a total of 14,227.
There were 13.9 per 100,000 in the seven days to 31 August, and a total of 9,259.'