3tier restriction system imposed on parts of England

LIVERPOOL/LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a tiered system of further restrictions on parts of England yesterday, including shutting pubs, to curb an acceleration in Covid19 cases.

Johnson announced a new threetiered system in an attempt to standardise a patchwork of often confusing restrictions imposed across England. Lawmakers will vote on the move today.

The lockdowns will include shutting pubs and bars and banning wedding receptions in areas on the ‘‘very high’’ alert level from tomorrow. The other alert levels in the new system are ‘‘medium’’ and ‘‘high’’.

So far, Merseyside in northwest England — which includes Liverpool — is the only area classified at the ‘‘very high’’ level. Gyms, leisure centres, casinos, betting shops and adult gaming centres there would also close, Johnson said.

‘‘We must act to save lives,’’ Johnson told parliament, adding he did not want another national lockdown and that he understood the frustrations of those chafing at the ‘‘repressions of liberty’’.

Health officials said the latest data showed infections were rising across the north of England and in some more southerly areas too, while the virus was creeping up age bands towards the elderly from those aged 1629 years.

Australia’s most populous state said yesterday it would ease restrictions, despite reporting the biggest oneday jump in new Covid19 cases in six weeks.

New South Wales said from Friday venues that offered outdoor dining would be allowed to have double the number of patrons outside. NSW previously required such venues to ensure 4sq m for each patron.

The easing of restrictions comes despite NSW reporting 13 Covid19 cases in the previous 24 hours, the biggest oneday rise in infections since September 2. — Reuters