10 MILLION IN LOCKDOWN
Tough new local curbs imposed all over UK and more areas fear the worst
LOCAL lockdowns have left 10 million people living under tough restrictions as Covid-19 cases continue to soar.
The North East yesterday became the latest area to be hit by curbs, including 10pm curfews on pubs and restaurants.
More places are braced for lockdowns, sparking fears of economic disaster.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We’ve seen local action work well and now we must take further action.”
HOUSEHOLDS and businesses across the land are bracing themselves for further local lockdowns as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to soar.
Ten million people are now living under restrictions after the North East was yesterday hit with new curbs, sparking fears pubs and restaurants that had just started to get back on their feet could face financial ruin.
And the threat of lockdowns loomed over Leeds and several London boroughs where infection rates are rising. There were 3,395 new cases recorded in the UK yesterday. Ministers and public health officials are battling to control the disease while encouraging workers back to offices and as kids return to schools. Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the latest local lockdown when he addressed the Commons.
He said: “These decisions have a real impact on families, on businesses and on local communities, and I can tell everyone affected that we do not take these decisions lightly. The battle against coronavirus is not over and while we strain every sinew to spring free of its clutches, with winter on the horizon we must prepare, bolster our defences and come together once again against this common foe.
“One of our vital lines of defence has been taking targeted action at a local level.
“We’ve seen local action work well in some parts of the country and now we must take further action.”
Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham have been hit by the restrictions.
Pubs, restaurants and other leisure and entertainment venues were placed under
a 10pm to 5am curfew. Residents are banned from socialising in homes or gardens with people outside their own households or support bubble, while food and drink venues will be restricted to table service only.
People were also advised not to socialise with others outside their households.
They should avoid non-essential travel on public transport and only take holidays with their own household or support bubble. The changes run alongside the Englandwide six person limit on social gatherings. Campaign for Real Ale chairman Nik Antona warned pubs would struggle with the curbs. He said: “These restrictions will be a big cause for concern for pubs in the region and their ability to stay open, turn a profit and pay their staff.
“Ministers should provide evidence that curfews and restrictions on who you can go to the pub with will be effective in reducing transmission of Covid-19, as well as emphasising that it’s still safe to go to the pub with your own household if you follow the rules.
“Otherwise, we could see a huge financial impact on viable pubs already operating under tighter restrictions than other businesses, with no positive effect on controlling the virus.”
Around 6.4 million people are thought to live in the areas of England which are completely covered by restrictions, according to an analysis by the Mirror.
Another 1.4 million are in boroughs that have curbs in parts of them.
And 1.8 million live in areas with restrictions in Scotland, while 400,000 are in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, where curbs exist.
People must not enter or leave the county of RCT without a good reason.
Pubs, bars and restaurants have to close at 11pm and meetings with other people indoors will not be allowed, including for extended households. Sunderland has a rate of 103 cases per 100,000 people, while in South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle the figures were all above 70.
The Government considers imposing travel curbs from foreign countries once the rate hits 20 per 100,000.
In Leeds, the infection rate was running at 71.2 per 100,000 people – amid fears the city could be hit next.
In London, Redbridge has cases of 38.0 per 100,000, Hounslow 34.6, Barking and Dagenham 31.5, Havering 30.1 and Enfield 30.0.
A total of 18,371 new people tested positive for Covid-19 in England in the week to September 9 – a rise of 75% on the previous week.
Downing Street played down claims a more widespread curfew could be introduced across England.
A spokesman said: “We will keep the restrictions under review.
“We don’t want to bring in these kind of measures which is why we have introduced the rule of six and are urging people to abide by it.”