Under fire, Boris Johnson to unveil new coronavirus measures to stem spread in UK
- Northern England has been particularly hard hit by a new surge in coronavirus cases that has forced local lockdowns
- Johnson is reluctant to repeat a national lockdown that would further hurt a struggling economy
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was set to step up efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus on Monday, announcing a new tiered system of alert levels that would see millions of Britons subject to more stringent curbs on their everyday lives.
The premier was to unveil plans to divide England into areas of “medium”, “high” and “very high” alert, with the levels determining the extent of restrictions imposed. The government said it’s working with local leaders to decide which places need to be in the top category, and what curbs are required in those areas.
The harshest measures were likely to be initially focused on areas of northern England such as Liverpool. Rules there, which could include the closure of some hospitality and leisure venues and a request to people to avoid travelling into or out of local hotspots, will be subject to a review every four weeks, according to ITV. While infection rates in London were lower than some parts of the country, Mayor Sadiq Khan warned last week new restrictions for the capital were inevitable.
The prime minister planned to unveil the latest interventions in Parliament, before appearing in a televised Downing Street press conference alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.
The planned announcement comes after a renewed spike in virus cases in the UK, resulting in a general tightening of regulations and stricter measures, including a ban on household visits, for swathes of the country.