What Boris’s new rules mean for us
THE PRIME MINISTER INTRODUCES A LOCAL THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF RESTRICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WITH BURTON AND SOUTH DERBYSHIRE CLASSIFIED IN THE LEAST SEVERE CATEGORY – BUT THE AREA HAS SEEN 100 NEW CASES IN JUST A WEEK –
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has delivered his verdict on what will happen to Burton, Uttoxeter and Swadlincote as he tightens Covid19 restrictions in certain areas of the UK.
Mr Johnson yesterday addressed Parliament after chairing a toplevel COBRA meeting on the new “three-tiered” approach to coronavirus regulations that comes in tomorrow.
Areas where infection risk is “very high” will see something resembling a return to full lockdown, with bans on meeting indoors and in private gardens, as well as closing pubs and bars.
And, with consultation with each affected area’s council bosses, there could be further restrictions on the hospitality, leisure, entertainment and “personal care” industries – but Mr Johnson was clear schools and universities would remain open.
Liverpool falls into that category, with additional measures – including the closure of gyms, casinos and betting shops – already agreed with the city council.
Those in the “high” category will be prevented from mixing indoors with other households and support bubbles – including in pubs and restaurants.
The “rule of six” will continue to apply outdoors, in public places and private gardens.
The “high” classification applies those already put under additional Government restrictions, as well as Nottinghamshire, West and East Cheshire and small area of High Peak.
People living in “medium” areas will continue to observe current measures, including the “rule of six” and the nightly closure of pubs, bars and restaurants at 10pm.
Burton, Uttoxeter, Swadlincote and their surrounding villages in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire fall into the third “medium” tier.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Burton and Uttoxeter MP Kate Griffiths questioned the Prime Minister on the effect of closing pubs in “very high” areas.
She said: “I know pubs in Burton and Uttoxeter will appreciate the support available to them through job support scheme in event of a local lockdown but will my right honourable friend consider impact on breweries for example which won’t be eligible for the support but will have no pubs to be able to sell to?
Mr Johnson replied: “I understand the point she makes and we’ll have the regular job support scheme for businesses not able to trade in the way they’d want to.” The Prime Minister told Parliament cases of coronavirus had quadrupled nationally in the last three weeks and deaths were rising.
He said the Governm ment would give councils £ £1 billion of new financial su support to fight the virus. “Very high” areas will get mo more money to expand test and trace facilities and enforc enforce the new rules, as well as sup support from the Armed Forces to deliver general council services.
The Go Government announced a further 13,972 confirmed cases. It said in that time period a further 50 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid19.
That included 43 in England, four in Wales, three in Northern Ireland and none in Scotland.