London faces new limits as risk elevates

LONDON — London and seven other areas will face further restrictions after the British government on Thursday raised their coronavirus risk levels in an effort to slow the exponential rise in infection rates across the country.

The government’s decision to move the communities into its second-highest coronavirus risk tier means that more than 11 million people will be barred from meeting with anyone indoors from outside their households and will be asked to minimize travel starting this weekend.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that he recognized these restrictions would be hard on individuals and businesses, but said tough decisions were needed now to keep people safe. The government is negotiating with the leaders of Manchester, Lancashire and other communities in northern England about moving into the top risk tier, which would require closing many businesses.

“Coronavirus is deadly, and it’s now spreading exponentially in the U.K.,” Hancock said. “We must act to prevent more hospitalizations, more deaths and more economic damage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week introduced a three-tier regional approach to combating the pandemic, with each tier bringing tighter restrictions. The government is trying to slow rising infection rates and prevent the National Health Service from being swamped with COVID-19 cases this winter while seeking to avoid a national lockdown that would ravage the U.K.’S struggling economy.

The opposition Labour Party’s spokesman on health issues, Jonathan Ashworth, described the measures as inadequate. He reiterated calls for the government to implement the recommendations of its scientific advisers and impose a twoto three-week national lockdown.