U.K.’s COVID-19 strategy is unraveling as regions choose own path
LONDON
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new strategy for combating COVID-19 seemed to unravel Wednesday as regional leaders chose their own paths and the mayors of the cities facing the toughest restrictions accused Johnson of using the crisis to divide them for political advantage.
Fearing Johnson hadn’t gone far enough, two regions in the United Kingdom chose to impose tougher measures than the prime minister. Northern Ireland said it would close schools, pubs and restaurants to slow the spread of the virus, while Wales announced it would not allow in people from hot spots in other parts of the U.K.
As Liverpool, the only area that has been placed under England’s toughest restrictions, prepared for the new
PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron announced that 18 million French citizens in nine regions, including in Paris, will have a curfew starting Saturday through Dec. 1.
He also reinstated the state of health emergency for the country, which ended three months ago. The 9 p.m. curfew is aimed at limiting the resurgent coronavirus amid second wave. The curfew will apply to the Paris region and to eight others: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier, Saint-Etienne.
Patients with COVID-19 occupy a third of intensive-care units nationwide. France has 798,000 confirmed cases and nearly 33,000 deaths. rules to take effect, revelers spilled into the streets as bars closed Tuesday night amid fears they might not reopen again until spring.
Social media showed the images, including one video of a police car slowly moving through the crowd as parple tiers banged on the side of the car.
“These pictures shame our city, attacking our brave police officers is unacceptable,” Liverpool City Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted. “Our health service is creaking, 300 in hospital and 30 peodead in week. Ignoring these facts is why we are in Tier 3 measures.”
The leader of greater Liverpool’s regional government criticized Johnson’s handling of the crisis. The government refused until last week to work with local leaders in the fight against COVID-19, and now it is trying to use Liverpool’s acceptance of tough new restrictions as a way to force other cities into doing the same, Steve Rotheram said during a video news conference with Andy Burnham, leader of the Greater Manchester Combine Authority.
“We’re not going to stand by while the government plays politics with us,” Rotheram said. “We’re not going to stand by and not do anything about holding the government to account.”
The wrangling came as England’s new three-tiered system of restrictions took effect across the country. Health officials met Wednesday to discuss whether other areas, including Manchester and Lancashire, should join Liverpool in the highest-risk tier, which would bring with it additional measures such as closing pubs and banning social gatherings with other households.
Britain already has Europe’s deadliest outbreak, with more than 43,000 confirmed deaths, and Northern Ireland has the highest infection rate in the U.K.
In the U.K.’s system of devolved authority, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales control their own health policies and therefore their response to the pandemic. The U.K. government decides the policy for England, but says it is coordinating with the others.