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The Northeast could move to tighter Level 3 coronavirus restrictions as early as Friday afternoon, reports claim.
Harry Cole, Sun’s political editor, says Boris Johnson is looking to move the Northeast, as well as Lancashire, from Level 2 to Level 3.
The move comes as Northeast leaders pledged to fight any plans to increase restrictions in the region.
However, the prime minister previously said that he had wanted to place the region in the strictest categories after this week’s talks.
The government also confirmed today that it has the ability to force regions to move to other levels as a last resort.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC: “We will keep in reserve the ability to (impose measures on Manchester).
“We have tried very hard to work with the local authorities. We would like to get there with Andy Burnham and Manchester, and in most places the talks are ongoing.”
Mr. Raab conceded that local measures may not work, as Sage once again emphasized the potential for two-week “circuit breaker” restrictions.
The news comes after leaders of the seven Northeast councils and North Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll sent a strong message to Westminster on Thursday.
In the letter to the government, they argued that there is “evidence of a flattening of the curve” and “there is a collective vision: we can make alert level 2 work.”
Local leaders have urged the government to give more time to the current restrictions, warning that the economic consequences will be “devastating without further support.”
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The authorities also said that there should be more financial support for those areas at both Tier 2 and Tier 3.
They warned that paying two-thirds of salaries “will not be enough to protect the jobs of thousands” and that payments to employees of companies forced to close should equal at least 80% of the original leave scheme.
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