Boris to make statement on Monday with three-tier lockdown announcement expected

10 October, 2020 | Filed under: All News,more news,Opinion,RECENT POSTS,Somali news | Posted by:

epa08709604 A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons Chamber in London, Britain, 30 September 2020. EPA/JESSICA TAYLOR / UK PARLIAMENT HANDOUT MANDATORY CREDIT: UK PARLIAMENT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
Boris Johnson will update MPs on Monday (Picture: EPA)

Boris Johnson will give a statement in the House of Commons on Monday amid fierce speculation he’s about to announce tougher coronavirus restrictions. The Prime Minister is widely expected to introduce a three tier lockdown system from next week, with large parts of the north set to be placed straight in the most severe tier. A letter sent to all northern MPs by Mr Johnson’s advisor Sir Edward Lister said local leaders will be consulted over the weekend on what new rules are needed. He warned ‘it is very likely that certain local areas will face further restrictions’ and ‘difficult choices’ are ahead. The letter promised the details will be ‘finalised as soon as possible’ before the Prime Minister gives his update in parliament on Monday. Visit our live blog for the latest updates Coronavirus news live Ministers have been intending to introduce a new simplified system for local lockdowns for several weeks. But there has been disagreement on what measures should be included in each category.

Nottingham is expected to face some of the strictest restrictions (Picture: Getty Images)

Third tier places – which could include cities like Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham – may see pubs and bars shut and a ban on socialising in all settings. A meeting was held on Friday between local leaders and cabinet members including the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, according to Sky News. Those present were told the system would use three tiers – known as Local Covid Alert Levels – divided into medium, high and very high. A number of possibilities for what could be included in each tier were outlined. People could be stopped from travelling in and out of the worst affected areas and, under a very high alert, pubs and bars would have to shut, but not restaurants.

EDINBURGH - OCTOBER 09: Members of the public enjoy a drink at the Last Drop pub in the Grassmarket prior to last orders at 6pm on October 9, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Pubs and restaurants in the central belt of Scotland close their doors for a fortnight while from 6pm in tough new coronavirus measures set out by the Scottish Government. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Drinkers enjoy their final pub pints for 16 days in Scotland (Picture: Getty Images)

It comes as Bangor in Wales became the latest place to go into a local lockdown. From 6pm on Saturday, people will not be allowed to enter or leave the area without a ‘reasonable excuse’ and can only meet people they do not live with outdoors, the Welsh Government said. The measures are in response to a ‘significant cluster of cases’ with several outbreaks among groups of students and young people.

The infection rate for Bangor is currently around 400 cases per 100,000 people. Restrictions are now in place across 15 counties in Wales. New rules are also coming into place in Scotland over the weekend. At 6pm Friday, pubs in the central belt shut their doors and will only be allowed to offer takeaways for the next 16 days. Contact sports for adults and group exercise classes are also banned from tomorrow. Snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling, casinos and bingo halls will close and no outdoor live events are allowed in the five areas.

 

Source:metro.co.uk/