PM to Announce Three-Level Lockout System After COBRA Meeting | Political news



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The prime minister will announce tomorrow a new three-tier lockdown system for England, with “medium”, “high” and “very high” alert levels.

However, talks are under way with local leaders to decide which parts of the country will face which restrictions.

Boris Johnson will chair an emergency COBRA meeting Monday morning, before updating parliament on the new rules.

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Burnham: government measures ‘will widen North-South divide’

He will also hold a televised press conference with the chancellor and the medical director.

Parliamentarians will debate and vote on the national framework later this week, but the government is not committed to voting on local closure decisions.

It is understood negotiations are more advanced with Liverpool city leaders, who were told that they could face level three restrictions.

Under the “very high” alert level, pubs, bars, gyms and casinos are expected to close, but restaurants and pubs offering “substantial meals” will remain open.

A senior government source said there will be a “degree of discretion” for local leaders within the levels.

After speaking with Prime Minister Steve Rotherham, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the new restrictions “must be accompanied by financial support to protect jobs and businesses.”

Leaders in the region say they expect a financial contribution for monitoring and follow-up and implementation, but funding for local government is still being discussed.

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‘I can’t bear to think about the next 12 months’

It comes as five Manchester MPs warned the government against closing pubs and restaurants under the new coronavirus restrictions.

They said a closure of hospitality venues would have a “devastating impact on jobs, livelihoods and businesses” and lead to illegal gatherings.

David Greenhalgh, the conservative leader of the Bolton Council, also told the BBC that the latest financial package is “frankly unacceptable”.

A Downing Street spokesman said this is a “critical juncture” and that Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Expanded Employment Support Plan will “protect jobs and allow businesses to reopen quickly once restrictions are lifted. “.

New measures announced by Sunak last week you will see staff paid two-thirds of their salary if your employer is forced to close due to stricter lockdown measures.

Latest coronavirus figures reported on Sunday recorded 12,872 more cases and 65 deaths.

It’s a slight drop from Saturday, when there were 15,166 cases and 81 deaths.

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