The Prime Minister has imposed a new coronavirus alert system on England to try to stop the virus spiralling out of control. The 3 Tier system is replacing local lockdowns. Liverpool City Region is the first to be placed under the highest Tier 3 measures, which means the area is “at very high risk”. It means no mixing of households. Pubs and bars will be closed unless they serve what’s being called a “substantial meal”. Most of the rest of England will be under Tier 1 restrictions – with medium levels of risk. In these areas current national rules continue, with the Rule of Six and a 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants. Parts of the North West, Yorkshire, the North East and the Midlands have been placed in Tier 2 — meaning they are at high risk. That means no household mixing indoors, while the rule of 6 still applies outdoors. Nottinghamshire, parts of Cheshire and a small area of the Peak District are also in this category. However England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that even the toughest Tier 3 restrictions would not be enough on their own to contain the spread of coronavirus. In Wales the health minister said a decision will be made in the coming days on new lockdown measures. Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon says she will draw up her own tiered framework towards the end of the month. Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting from political editor Laura Kuenssberg and Ed Thomas in Liverpool
Pubs closed and household mixing banned under new Tier 3 system – BBC News
