The UK map will be dramatically redrawn today as new coronavirus measures come into force – changing the way millions of people live their lives.
Here is what is happening today:
- Northern Ireland will enter a four-week “circuit breaker” lockdown from 6pm – with pubs and restaurants closed, overnight stays in other homes banned, and schools shut for two weeks
- People living under Tier 2 and 3 restrictions in England will be banned from entering Wales from 6pm
- At 12.01am tonight, London will move to Tier 2 of the coronavirus alert system, meaning people from separate households will be banned from mixing indoors – including in pubs and restaurants
- Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield will also move into Tier 2
The changes will that mean more than half of England will be banned from meeting friends and family from other households indoors – or altogether.
In Tier 2 areas – home to 26.7 million people – different households will be allowed to meet outdoors. But with less daylight and winter weather on the way, socialising will become much harder.
Currently, only the Liverpool City Region is under Tier 3 restrictions. Yesterday, a bitter political row between local politicians and the government prevented Greater Manchester from also being subject to the harshest restrictions.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham accused the government of treating the North of England with contempt – and claimed Downing Street was trying to impose unproven measures “on the cheap”.
In an impassioned news conference, he said: “We have to protect the health of the nation but let’s do it as one nation, and not make the North of England the sacrificial lamb for an ill-thought-through Downing Street policy which doesn’t make sense in the real world.”
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Burnham: ‘We’re being set up like canaries in a coal mine’
Sky News understands that Lancashire is likely to be announced as the latest area to move into Tier 3 of England’s lockdown restrictions.
Discussions between Westminster and local leaders around the financial package are still ongoing, but the decision is expected to be announced within hours.
Senior Tories have warned Boris Johnson that he is facing a growing rebellion on his own backbenches.
Some politicians are claiming that the financial support being offered to hospitality venues is inadequate, given the significant impact that England’s restrictions will have on their ability to operate.
Another 26.7 million people are being put under stricter measures
Pubs, restaurants and hotels in Tier 2 areas can only accept groups from the same household, while pubs and bars in Tier 3 will be forced to close unless they can operate as restaurants.
Despite this, businesses will not be eligible for government support unless they are forced to close entirely by the strictest Tier 3 measures.
Cities of London and Westminster Conservative MP Nickie Aiken said: “Whilst I appreciate the public health crisis we find ourselves in, I remain deeply concerned about the impact further lockdown will have on the capital’s hospitality, leisure and retail businesses.
“Alongside protecting the health of Londoners, protecting people’s jobs and livelihoods must be a priority at this time.
“Many of our businesses are already on their knees, and I urge the government to consider further support before they disappear for good.”
Some Conservatives have also questioned why new restrictions are being imposed across London’s nine million people when infection rates fluctuate wildly between boroughs.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has told Londoners who are being urged to make “monumental sacrifices” in the imminent local lockdown to “ignore government politicians” who have flouted coronavirus rules.
Mr Khan was asked whether he was worried about the effect that high-profile violations of restrictions would have on the public – including by the PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings and SNP MP Margaret Ferrier.
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Khan: ‘Govt is refusing to follow SAGE advice’
The mayor said: “I know from anecdotal experience, speaking to Londoners from all walks of life, but also from polling done by independent polling companies, that the way the prime minister’s chief adviser behaved led to people asking the question ‘why should I follow the rules when he isn’t?’.
“My advice to Londoners is to ignore what government ministers do, or government advisers do, or members of parliament do.
“Do what is the right thing for our city and for your loved ones and for yourself.”
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons as he announced changes yesterday: “We must take firm and balanced decisions to keep this virus under control.
“This is the only way to protect lives and livelihoods – and we must act now. Delayed action means more deaths from COVID-19, it means more non-COVID deaths and it means more economic pain later.”