Addressing Parliament, Boris Johnson said the new categories intend to simplify and standardize all the different lockdown rules already in place.
On Monday, British PM Boris Johnson laid out the details of a new graded three-tier system of COVID-19 lockdown and alert levels, categorizing the localized lockdowns across England. The alert levels classify into “medium, high, or very high” based on their coronavirus transmission rate.
All about different alert levels of lockdown
The top high alert level will apply where contraction rates are rising most rapidly incrementing. Here the lockdown will be with social mixing banned indoors and outdoors. They also forced the closure of pubs and other hospitality businesses.
A new three-tier system of local lockdown measures for England has been announced to try to curb rising #COVID19 rates.
So what are the rules for the different tiers – and which is your area in? 👇
— SkyNews (@SkyNews) October 13, 2020
However, the medium alert level or Tier 1 is the lowest alert level in the series. It will cover most of the country. It will also involve the current national lockdown measures of the “rule of six” on gatherings and hospitality sector shutdowns at 10 pm.
Restrictions in each Tier
The medium alert level or Tier 1 is the lowest alert level. It will cover most of the country and involve the current national lockdown measures. It will also imply the “rule of six” on gatherings and hospitality sector shutdowns at 10 p.m.
Tier 2, or the high alert level, will involve restrictions in some local areas. Additionally, stricter bans on indoor mixing but outdoor mixing allowed within the rule of six numbers.
The “very high alert level,” or Tier 3, will apply where the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) could soon be under “unbearable pressure” without further restrictions, with Merseyside, including the city of Liverpool, falling into this highest grade.
Parliament statement by Johnson
Addressing Parliament, Johnson said the new categories intend to “simplify and standardize” all the different lockdown rules already in place.
The new rules are to be debated by MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday. They will only be coming into force from Wednesday, with a review of the system in a month.
“This is certainly not how we want to live our lives. Yet, this is the narrow path we have to tread between a full lockdown’s social and economic trauma. As well as bear the massive human and indeed the economic cost of an uncontained epidemic,” Johnson told members of Parliament.
“I must warn the House the weeks and months ahead will continue to be difficult and will test the mettle of this country. I do not doubt at all that together we will succeed,” he added.
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