Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that the government acted because coronavirus infection rates are rising rapidly in the capital and quick action was necessary to curb the spread of the virus.
The city of Liverpool is already under strict covid-19 restrictions, thus, millions of people in northern England are waiting to find out whether they will be also placed under the government’s tightest covid-19 restrictions or not.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was expecting this decision and told the London Assembly that talks were continuing but he expected authorities to shift London into the second of three risk categories based on “expert public health and scientific advice” which is needed the most to save lives.
Khan has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeking details on how the UK government will support and help businesses and individuals who will be undergoing heavy losses affected by such a move.
“Nobody wants to see more restrictions. But this is deemed to be necessary to protect Londoners' lives by myself, London council leaders and by ministers,” Khan said.
Meanwhile, the mayor of the Greater Manchester area, having a population of 2.8 million people, says he expects a meeting with the Prime Minister’s team on Thursday and to have a discussion on whether the region will be categorised as a “high risk” area.
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The “high risk” category in the government’s new three-tier regional COVID-19 strategy. The areas coming under the highest risk category would require restrictions such as closing bars and banning social gatherings outside one’s own home. The government has said it is also in discussions with leaders of other parts of northern England where coronavirus infection rates are increasing.