[ad_1]
England’s new three-tiered system for localized coronavirus restrictions went into effect today, but the prime minister is already under increasing pressure to take even more action.
Since midnight, the country has been divided into three levels of COVID-19 alert – “medium”, “high” and “very high”.
The Liverpool city region is on the top tier, with bars and pubs being forced to close if they cannot function as restaurants. Residents have also been prohibited from socializing with other households both indoors and in private gardens.
Last night, Videos on social media showed groups of people enjoying a final night in the city before the new restrictions went into effect, with Merseyside police confirming to Sky News that a “large crowd” had to be dispersed.
Discussions will be held on whether Greater Manchester and Lancashire should be reclassified to join the top tier of restrictions as well, amid concerns about rising coronavirus infection rates throughout the Northwest.
Prior to those talks, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham accused the government of “lobbying” without providing an adequate financial support package.
He claimed that the possible reclassification of the region “runs the risk of confusing people” so soon after Greater Manchester was placed in Tier 2 of the new system of localized restrictions.
Johnson saw MPs approve the new three-tier system Tuesday night, but was also hit by a double challenge from both Labor and his own Tory MPs.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer is now demanding that the prime minister put England in two to three weeks. “breaker” lock coinciding with the October semester, with the support of the Liberal Democrats.
This would “break the cycle” of COVID-19 transmission across the country, Sir Keir said.
Late last night Northern Ireland announced that it plans to impose a four-week “circuit breaker” lockout, with two weeks closing schools.
Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford has said he is “very actively” considering a “short and sharp intervention”, and Johnson is being pressured to consider similar measures in England.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Johnson will face Sir Keir in the House of Commons during the Prime Minister’s Questions later, when the Labor leader will likely accuse the government of not following the recommendations of scientists for action at the national level.
Two members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) are due to publish a joint document suggesting that thousands of deaths from COVID-19 could be prevented before Christmas if a circuit breaker lockout is imposed for the medium term.
Another SAGE member, Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, described the government’s current strategy of improved localized measures as “the worst of all worlds” as it offers “the economic damage of more restrictions without the gain of a reduction. in the transmission “. .
:: Subscribe to the daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In a sign of Downing Street’s anger at Sir Keir over his call for further action, a senior government source called the Labor leader a “brazen opportunist” and accused him of “playing political games in the midst of a global pandemic.”
But while the prime minister now faces more hostile opposition to his handling of the coronavirus crisis, Johnson also received a warning from his own conservative supporters.
A total of 44 Conservative MPs opposed the 10 p.m. curfew for pubs and restaurants in England in a House of Commons vote Tuesday night, the biggest conservative rebellion Johnson has faced since he became prime minister.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The rebel group included Bolton West MP Chris Green, who resigned as junior ministerial assistant minutes before the vote.
In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Green said that the local blockade in his constituency had failed and that “the attempted cure is worse than the disease.”
Johnson had addressed Conservative supporters through Zoom ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
The prime minister was reported to have used video calling to joke that many people would welcome the “rule of six” for social gatherings as they will be able to avoid their in-laws at Christmas.
“Les Dawson spearheading the COVID-19 response was not the 2020 I expected,” Labor Minister Jess Phillips said in her condemnation of Johnson’s comments.
