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Video report by ITV News political correspondent Paul Brand
Liverpool will face tough new coronavirus measures as part of a three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions in England that the prime minister will announce on Monday, ITV News understands.
Manchester, which had been slated for similar tougher measures, is also believed to not be placed at the top tier.
It comes as the leaders of the north of England have expressed anger at the impact of the anticipated measures, warning that they could “destroy” local economies.
On average, coronavirus rates are higher in the North and Midlands than in the South of England.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson held a conference call with members of the Cabinet while updating them on the new restrictions he will announce in the Commons.
The hardest level of the new three-level restraint system Pubs and restaurants are likely to close and millions of people will be banned from mingling indoors and outdoors.
The lowest of the three levels would be the “six o’clock rule” and the curfew at 10 pm. M. In pubs, bars and restaurants that exist throughout the country.
While the new system is meant to simplify restrictions in England, ITV News understands that the top tier could vary by area, with local leaders haggling over issues such as a ban on leaving the region, limits on socializing, and whether pubs and restaurants must be closed. .
ITV News also understands that the Liverpool city region will rank at this higher tier.
The latest figures suggest that Liverpool has nearly 600 coronavirus cases for every 100,000 people.
Nottingham continues to have the highest rate in England, with 2,763 new cases registered in the seven days to October 8, the equivalent of 830.0 cases per 100,000 people.
Political correspondent Paul Brand reported that pubs, gyms, casinos and gambling shops will likely be closed and the stricter restrictions could be in place for six months.
He added that restaurants will likely be allowed to remain open and the new measures will be renewed monthly.
He adds that the government is still finalizing details with local leaders and, as such, the restrictions could change.
Paul Brands adds that the agreement includes additional financial support to help the councils with the application.
ITV News political correspondent Paul Brand explains restrictions Liverpool could soon see
Paul Brand also believes that the Northeast, which was suggested could be located at level three, will be located at level two.
ITV News understands that Manchester, which also feared being placed in the third tier, may not face the harshest measures.
As of Sunday, the city’s seven-day average was 477.7 cases per 100,000, compared with 530.5 a week ago. Figures are based on Press Association calculations from Public Health England data.
A Manchester MP told ITV News political correspondent Daniel Hewitt that they believe the area will avoid the upper-level or level-three restrictions.
They said there is a “broad cross-party consensus” against the harsher measures and “the evidence does not support the closure hospitality.”
It comes after Manchester MPs wrote to the prime minister, arguing against a level three lockdown.
They said the data “does not appear to support a justification” for closing pubs and restaurants, as a large proportion of the spread is between students and in private households.
“Transmission in hospitality settings, as you know, constitutes a very small proportion of infection rates,” they write.
Political editor Robert Peston has seen a copy of the letter sent by MPs from Greater Manchester.
Earlier on Sunday, Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese told ITV News that he is resisting the closure of pubs and hospitality in the city as “no evidence has been given to the government” that the closure it will make a difference in infection rates.
“The evidence we have is particularly for our younger population, and Manchester has a very young population, if you close bars and restaurants they will just find other ways to come together,” Sir Richard said.
It comes as northern leaders issued warnings about the economic impact of possible tighter restrictions.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told Times Radio that Northern England leaders have “very little power or influence” over the decisions Westminster makes.
“This prime minister’s rhetoric is about leveling up and what we’re going to witness in Liverpool, and I know, I’m very happy to say that I’ve been told that Liverpool is likely to be placed in the third tier,” Anderson said. .
“That is going to have enormous economic damage and damage that will return us to the situation in which this city was in the 80s with high levels of unemployment, unemployed people and it will take us back a long time.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for more financial support and consultations, telling Times Radio: “If they continue this, jobs will be lost, businesses will collapse, the fragile economies of the North will be shattered.”
Anderson said that if the government does not provide financial support to individuals and businesses during the shutdown, they will have to pay instead for individuals to receive benefits.
He said: “If this were in London, we wouldn’t be talking about this. It is because it is the Northwest that they want to do cheaply and we are not going to allow them to do so. “
Also on Sunday, the government noted that city councils will have more control over the coronavirus testing and tracking program.
Speaking on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the government wants to “work very closely with local mayors and councils.”
“We will ensure that the national testing infrastructure … works in harmony with what is happening locally.
“Because municipalities and local communities are very good at locating contacts.”
Jenrick also told ITV News about the support offered by the expanding Employment Support Plan: where workers will receive two-thirds of their wages if local closures force businesses to close – it’s part of a “very reasonable” package.
“The chancellor has launched an unprecedented support package for the people and we cannot do everything,” he said.
“We are in a severe recession, the national debt is increasing very fast, but I think most people would see the measures that he has implemented as very reasonable.”
The tension between North and Westminster arises as England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, said the country is at a turning point. similar to the first wave of coronavirus, but it can prevent history from repeating itself.
Prof Van-Tam said the best way to keep transmission low and avoid overwhelming the NHS is for people to follow the self-isolation guide, wash their hands, cover their faces and keep their distance.
He added: “At the beginning of the year, we were battling a semi-invisible disease, about which we had little knowledge, and it spread into the community with great speed.
“Now we know where it is and how to approach it, let’s seize this opportunity and prevent history from repeating itself.”
Meanwhile, another prominent scientist warned that the UK could face another lockdown unless tougher measures are quickly imposed.
Labor’s shadow foreign secretary, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, said it is “probably right” that more restrictions are placed on bars.
She told the BBC’s Andrew Marr program: “Now I think it is probably correct to say that there will have to be restrictions on pubs. I think the time that young people spend in pubs is probably part of the driving force around this. ”
But he criticized the way the government was handling the situation, adding: “They are treating us with contempt, but more importantly, they are also treating people across the country.”
