Tier 3 means it’s grim up north... and down south

THE first review of England’s Covid-19 tier system sparked uproar as 3.7million more people in the south were moved into tougher restrictions – and the north missed out on a reprieve.

A day after London and parts of Hertfordshire and Essex went from Tier 2 to Tier 3, more areas were told they will be joining them from Saturday, including Bedfordshire, the rest of Hertfordshire and most of Surrey. Berkshire, where the Queen and Prince Philip are spending their quietest Christmas ever at Windsor, also entered the toughest tier.

Announcing the changes, health secretary Mr Hancock told MPs Britain had ‘come so far’ and ‘mustn’t blow it now’.

He said cases in the south-east rose 46 per cent in a week and hospital admissions by more than a third.

‘I know Tier 3 measures are tough, but the best way for everyone to get out of them is to pull together – not just to follow the rules, but do everything they possibly can to stop the spread of the virus,’ he added.

But he dashed hopes northern cities would move to Tier 2 so pubs and restaurants could reopen.

Greater Manchester’s Labour mayor Andy Burnham said: ‘It feels like, if the north has rising cases, the north goes under restrictions; if London and the south-east has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions.’ And Tory Sir Graham Brady, Altrincham and Sale West MP, said: ‘The statement will be greeted with dismay in Greater Manchester. We’ve had severe restrictions for nine months. In nine of the ten boroughs rates are below the average.’

The changes mean 38million people – 68 per cent of people in England – face Tier 3 rules, which ban household mixing and shut pubs and restaurants apart for takeaways and deliveries.

They came as the UK death toll rose by 532, while figures showed infections in England up everywhere except Yorkshire and Humber.

There were another 35,383 daily cases, but these included 11,000 in Wales previously unrecorded due to a glitch.

Meanwhile, ministers told schools to stagger returns in January. Secondary school pupils will get a week of remote learning first. Schools should also oversee free testing for students and staff.