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Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he believes the city’s covid-19 infection rate is now out of control and a short-term total lockdown is likely the only way to stop the rise.
Mayor Anderson has again urged the people of the city to strictly follow hygiene and social distancing rules, and Liverpool’s infection rate continues to rise.
The latest figures show that there were 1306 positive cases of covid-19 in the most recent 7-day period in Liverpool.
This is an increase from 577 the previous week and provides a current infection rate of 262.2 per 100,000 population.
Mayor Anderson said he expects stronger measures to be imposed in the city and said he believes levels are now so high that a full shutdown could be the only way to try to stop the numbers rising.
This follows reports in the national press yesterday suggesting that our region is one of the places where new restrictions, including a complete ban on social gatherings and a two-week shutdown of the hospitality sector, could be announced this week if the numbers cases in the city continue to rise. growing up.
Mayor Anderson said: “I think now we have to break the circuit. I think this is necessary in Liverpool, but also across the country.”
“We simply cannot see the current level of increase in cases continuing at this rate.
“We have the third highest rate in the country and we are increasing rapidly
“I think now there is no question that we need stricter lockdown measures, how else can we stop these numbers?
“We simply cannot allow it to continue to spread at this rate, it is getting out of hand.
“I think a couple of weeks of total lockdown might be the only way we can stop that slope and try to control it.”
Mayor Anderson added that a full shutdown, which could include a short-term shutdown of hospitality businesses, could only occur if the government provides specific financing packages for those affected.
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He said: “But if this happens, it can only work if the government adequately compensates the businesses that will be affected and will have to close.”
“We will need some kind of localized permitting scheme because we can’t just let these businesses burn out or these jobs get lost in the city.”
This is a view shared by Metropolitan Mayor Steve Rotheram.
He said he supported more restrictions to curb the spread of the disease, but asked the government to provide details of financial support for businesses to prevent a new wave of unemployment.
He said: “We have all seen the worrying increase in coronavirus cases across the country, so it is correct that if the current restrictions are not proving sufficient, that the government consider all available options to protect people and stop the spread. of the virus.
“However, if they are going to force another shutdown of the hospitality industry and a ban on all social gatherings, then they must implement adequate financial support for local public health councils and teams, for companies to prevent them from being collapse and to prevent thousands of people from losing their jobs through no fault of their own.
“To be effective, any announcement about new local restrictions or local closures must come with clear messages and a package of measures to protect jobs and support the local economy, including a local licensing scheme, financial support for businesses and support. for the self employed, many of whom have not received any help since this crisis began. “
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said it is essential that people in the city follow strict social distancing rules and said the scenes of hundreds of people gathering in the city center on the weekend simply cannot be repeated.
He added: “Cases are spreading out of control and now we are seeing ICU beds in the city filling up, we all have a responsibility as part of this community to do the right thing and take care of others.”
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