More than 42,000 people have died in the outbreak in Britain. (File)
London:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to present a new three-tier lockdown next week as coronavirus infection rates rise especially in the north of England.
Under scathing criticism after media leaks detailed the government’s plan without consultation with local leaders, Johnson will make a statement in parliament on Monday after stepping up contacts with affected regions.
Its chief strategic adviser Edward Lister wrote to MPs representing headquarters in northern England on Friday, following a meeting with regional leaders, warning them that it was “very likely” that the region will have to submit to stricter rules.
“The government will discuss a package of measures with local leaders who all present difficult choices,” he wrote, with meetings continuing over the weekend.
Several towns in the north of England have been hit by a series of social barriers, such as a ban on mixing different households, but the south has escaped tighter restrictions for now.
The three-tier system aims to clarify the patchwork of rules for England that have evolved since infection rates started to climb again in September, according to reports.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own decentralized governments and separate health systems. Pubs in central Scotland have closed for just over two weeks in an attempt to reduce close contact transmission.
The new highest tier for England, tier three, is expected to go beyond existing restrictions such as curfews for pubs and completely shut down reception venues.
No social contact would be permitted outside a person’s home, including outside.
Following contacts with 10 Downing Street, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told the BBC on Saturday that he expected the northern city to move to a level three lockdown from Tuesday.
He said the government at least gave them some sort of notice this time.
“But the main point of the imposition of the measures is clearly that: the imposition. We were not consulted.”
More than 42,000 people have died in Britain’s outbreak – the worst toll in Europe – and concern is mounting over a potentially deadlier second wave and its social and economic impact.
The government on Friday said it would pay up to two-thirds of the monthly staff salaries to businesses forced to close during the winter months.
An estimated 224,400 people – or 1 in 240 – in England had Covid-19 during the week of September 25 to October 1, according to the Office of National Statistics.
Although young adults are the main drivers of the outbreak, infections among people over the age of 65 have also increased eightfold since last month, according to the largest UK study from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
