Mayors plead to stay in lower restrictions
Mayo r s f r o m t wo o f E n g - l a n d ' s b i g g e s t c i t i e s h ave u r g e d t h e G o v e r n m e n t t o s p a r e t h e i r a r e a s f r o m t h e t o u g h e s t c o r o n av i r u s restrictions when the national lockdown ends.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan s a i d t h e c i t y ’s b u s i n e s s e s wo u l d s u f f e r a "h a m m e r blow" that they may not recover from if it is placed in Tier 3 next week.
L i v e r p o o l C i t y R e g i o n Mayor Steve Rotheram said "remarkable" progress had been made since it was put under stringent restrictions last month.
Tomorrow, people in England will find out which tier they are being placed in once t h e l o c k d o w n e n d s n e x t Wednesday.
The Government has briefly outlined the factors which will influence its decisions, which include case detection rates in all age groups, case detection rates in the over-60s and the rate at which cases are rising or falling.
The two other measures are the positivity rate - the num
ber of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken - and pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy. Under Tier 3, the highest category, pubs and restaurants will only be able to offer takeaway or delivery services, while large events are banned except for drive-in.
Mr Khan said the "right and sensible decision" would be to place London in Tier 2, where restrictions on hospitality are less stringent.
Pubs and restaurants can open but alcohol can only be consumed with a "substantial meal", and people may only sit indoors with their household or support bubble.