Boris Johnson outlines three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions in areas of England
- In the region around Liverpool, for which Johnson declared the highest risk level, pubs and gyms have to close until further notice
- Members of different households in at-risk regions are no longer allowed to meet each other, either indoors or outdoors
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined a three-tier system for imposing fresh restrictions on areas of England that have rising coronavirus numbers: medium, high and very high.
Johnson was prompted to act by an alarming rise in new coronavirus cases across England. Johnson was speaking on Monday to the lower house of the British parliament in London, which was expected to vote on the new measures on Tuesday before they are applied the day after.
In the region around the north-western English city of Liverpool, for which Johnson declared the highest risk level, pubs and gyms have to close until further notice.
In addition, members of different households in these regions are no longer allowed to meet each other, either indoors or outdoors.
02:18
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to order pubs and gyms closed in very high-risk areas
In regions with the second-highest warning level, or "high," the ban on meeting also applies to indoor areas, but so-called "support bubbles" and meetings outside are still allowed.
The medium alert, which has the same rules that already apply to most of England, limits the number of people that can meet at a time to six and has a 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants.