UK: Tempers Flare Over New Covid Rules As Boris Johnson Warns: 'We Must Act Now'; New 3- Tier System
- Tempers flare over new Covid rules as Johnson warns: 'We must act now.'- Boris Johnson faces doubt and frustration over new three-tier system that splits England into risk zones. Ministers told weeks ago to impose lockdown or face ‘large epidemic.’ The Guardian, Oct. 12, 2020.
Boris Johnson warned northern leaders that a failure to agree tougher coronavirus restrictions within days would be “unforgivable” as he faced doubt and frustration over a new system designed to prevent the “inexorable” spread of Covid-19.
The prime minister unveiled a three-tier system splitting England into medium risk (tier 1), high risk (tier 2) and very high risk (tier 3) areas. Under the new rules, nearly a third of the country – more than 17 million people – face localised curbs.
Liverpool city region was the only area categorised as very high risk on Monday – with pubs forced to close and household mixing banned in almost all circumstances from Wednesday for at least four weeks. Greater Manchester and the north-east resisted attempts to close their hospitality sectors, insisting that ministers had not provided scientific evidence and saying the measures were proving counterproductive.
But Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, told a Downing Street press conference that even the toughest curbs would probably not contain the spread of the virus in the worst-hit areas and said local authorities would need to add extra restrictions. “The base will not be sufficient. I think that’s very clearly the professional view,” he said...
More, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/12/unforgivable-if-covid-rules-not-toughened-in-north-johnson-warns
