At 3.30pm, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address the House of Commons, and at 6pm he will address the nation.
Mr Johnson will spell out his three-tier strategy with areas in England labelled as medium, high or very high risk, which will inform the “appropriate interventions” needed in each area.
Earlier it has been revealed that Greater Manchester will be placed in the High or Tier 2 category which would mean that different households will not be allowed to mix in any indoor setting, including in pubs and cafes and that a 10pm curfew will remain in place.
The Prime Minister begins by saying that he does not accept that we should have another full lockdown. On the other hand, some argue that the patience of the public is exhausted, and that we should abandon restrictions and led the disease take its course.But, he says, the “bleak mathematics” of that would lead to many deaths, and the NHs being overwhelmed.
He added that letting the virus spread amongst the young is not an option either.It would spread with such velocity it would affect older people.And some young people would be badly affected, he says.
We cant go back to a national lockdown and we can’t also not let it rip says the Prime Minister.”I take no pleasure in closing down hospitality.”
The R number is between 1.2 and 1.5 says the Prime Minister but its natural level is between 2.7 and 3 and is below the levels of March and that is why the virus is not transmitting as much.
The Prime Minister has laid out the three tier system and adds that in the very high level there could be additional measures agreed with local leaders.
There will be three levels.
The medium level will cover most of England. It will feature the current rules, the rule of six and 10pm closing for pubs.
The high alert level will cover most areas under current restrictions. He says people here will not be able to mix with other household indoors. Nottinghamshire and east and west Cheshire will be included.
The very high alert level will have a baseline of measures. In these places household mixing will be banned, and all pubs and bars will be closed.
Local Authorities in the Liverpool region will move to the highest level from Wednesday he confirms but says that negotiations are still continuing with other leaders including in the North West.
“This is not how we want to live our lives” adds the Prime Minister saying that this is the narrow path we have to tread between the social and economic trauma of a full lockdown and the massive human and indeed economic cost of an unconstrained epidemic,”
Kier Starmer says that the Prime Minister has lost control of the virus and is behind the curve and says the house and the country.
He says he is not convinced that the PM has a strategy to deal with the disease and that Public confidence has been eroded, “Why does he think these measures will get the virus under control?.”
“I want to be clear: the worst thing the prime minister can do is not act quickly or decisively enough”
