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Pubs and restaurants in parts of northern England could face restrictions within days in a fight to stem an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, after Nicola Sturgeon announced a nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking in Scotland.
UK ministers will meet again on Thursday to try to reach a resolution, along with local leaders, on what tougher measures should be imposed, following what Sturgeon described as “short and sharp action” for Scotland.
“It’s no wonder we’re considering measures at the harshest end,” said a Whitehall source, adding that public health officials were alarmed by a 60% increase in hospital admissions in the Northeast in recent days. “We know that hospitality is an important factor, especially the comings and goings at fast food or bars.”
Local leaders have called on the government to secure more emergency financial support for England’s troubled hotel industry as more restrictions loom. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is understood to have resisted regionalized financial support packages for companies, but that is now being considered.
Labor released figures on Wednesday showing that 19 of 20 areas in England under restrictions for two months had reported rising infection rates.
Speaking about the prime minister’s questions, Keir Starmer said: “The prime minister really needs to understand that local communities are angry and frustrated. So you’re going to reach out to the folks at Bury, Burnley, and Bolton and tell them: what do you think is the core issue that’s causing this?
“The prime minister cannot explain why an area comes under restrictions. You cannot explain what the different constraints are, and you cannot explain how the constraints end. This is getting ridiculous. It’s obvious that something went wrong here, so what is the prime minister going to do about it? “
Nottinghamshire will become the latest area to face strict restrictions on social gatherings, which could be announced on Thursday. The city is expected to undergo measures similar to those in the northeast of England.
Nottingham City Council Public Health Director Alison Challenger described the increase in infections in the area as “extremely worrying” and confirmed that new rules were expected imminently.
David Mellen, the council leader, said that because local lockdown measures in other parts of the country, such as Manchester, had not reduced infections, different tactics had to be implemented to control the outbreaks.
“The last time we closed effectively, he managed to get the virus under control, but at that time the schools weren’t open, the universities weren’t open, people couldn’t go to bars and restaurants. We have to decide what can be closed, ”Mellen said.
On Wednesday, the government said there had been 14,162 more laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK and 70 people had died.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock chaired a “golden command” meeting Wednesday morning.
Plans to launch a “stoplight” style staggered lockdown model are on hold until a decision can be made on how to handle the significant increase in the Northwest and Northeast.
However, significantly different opinions remain among senior ministers on the criteria for imposing the most stringent closure measures and whether they should include full closures of stores and restaurants, limited time restrictions or specific curbs.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said leaders in the north of England would strongly oppose any restriction that was not backed by a “substantial support package” for city councils, businesses and residents.
A Guardian analysis of the official figures shows a wide disparity in the resurgence of the coronavirus across the country, with England’s poorest communities nearly four times more likely to face lockdown restrictions than richer areas.
“A very difficult winter awaits us. Time is running out to get these things right, ”said Burnham. “Now it is urgent that we get support, otherwise the north-south gap will widen. The north will be subject to restrictions during the winter that, in the end, will level us, not go up. “
A Treasury source said that Sunak was looking for more support options. “We have shown that we will act at the pace and scale when needed and continue to provide support where needed,” the source said.
The threat of a significant conservative rebellion is playing on the minds of No. 10 as ministers consider what stricter restrictions might be acceptable. “If we close pubs and restaurants, how do we think Conservative MPs will react?” said a Whitehall source.
Labor has said Boris Johnson must present the scientific evidence behind the introduction of new lockdown measures in England, with Starmer hinting that his party could vote against implementing the 10 p.m. curfew if the government does not provide more evidence.
Former Minister Steve Baker said he and other Conservative MPs would vote against the curfew when the measure reaches parliament.
On Wednesday afternoon, the scheduled vote was removed from the House of Commons agenda for next Monday, suggesting that the government withdrew the vote as it works to contain the rebellion.
Baker, one of the key critics of the government shutdown measures, said he wanted to work toward a different deal with the government, and the curfew was “poorly evidenced and appears to be counterproductive.”
Figures released by the Labor Party on Wednesday showed:
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Bolton’s infection rate has risen nearly 13 times, from 20 per 100,000 people to 255.
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Burnley’s infection rate has risen from 21 per 100,000 people to 434.
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Bury’s infection rate is 266 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.
Issue 10 said that all current restrictions were under constant review. “We are looking at all the data, from the growing number of infections to the number of people admitted to hospital and intensive care. If we believe further action is required, we will act, ”Johnson’s spokesman said.
When asked why the government was not yet taking further action, the spokesperson said: “We keep the data under constant review and continue to receive advice from medical and scientific experts, and if we feel that further intervention is necessary, we will do so.” .
At Holyrood, Sturgeon said the new measures were intended to be a “short and sharp action to stop a worrisome rise in infection” and he hoped they would help keep schools and businesses open through the winter.
For 16 days starting Friday at 6:00 p.m. M., All pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes must operate only during the day, from 6:00 a.m. M. At 6:00 p. M., And only for the service of food and non-alcoholic beverages. They can continue to serve alcohol outside until the current 10 p.m. curfew.
In five health board areas that are causing the most concern – Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Lothians, Ayrshire and Arran and Forth Valley – all licensed premises, with the exception of resident hotels, must close both indoors and out. outdoors, although takeout meals will be made. permitted. Cafes that do not have an alcoholic beverage license may remain open until 6 pm
