Following discussions over the
weekend, the government and local leaders have agreed the need
for further action to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the
Liverpool City Region.
From Wednesday,
Liverpool City Region will be placed onto the ‘Very High’ Local
Covid Alert Level. The Liverpool City Region includes the local
authority districts of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and
Wirral, as well as the City of Liverpool.
Under the country’s
new three tiered Local Covid Alert Level system, the Very High
alert level applies in the areas of greatest concern.
The new
restrictions for the Liverpool City Region include:
- Pubs and bars will close. They can only remain open where
they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving
substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They
may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
- Indoor gyms and fitness/dance studios, sports facilities,
leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos
will close;
- Wedding receptions will not be permitted;
- People should try to avoid travelling outside their local
area, or entering another area rated Very High other than for
work, education, accessing youth services, or to meet caring
responsibilities;
- People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the
UK if they are resident in the Liverpool City Region and avoid
staying overnight in the Liverpool City Region if they are
resident elsewhere.
The Prime Minister chaired COBR this morning,
which was attended by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor . COBR
confirmed the new restrictions and the PM has announced these in
a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon.
It follows a
briefing earlier today by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan
Van Tam, Medical Director of NHS England Steve Powis and Dr Jane
Eddleston, Medical Lead for the North West, where they set out
the latest data on the rising infection rates across the
country.
The latest figures
show that the North West has around 40% of all Covid-19 cases,
with an eight-fold increase in patients being admitted to
hospital. Currently, 30% of the North West’s intensive care
capacity is taken up with Covid-19 patients.
They warned that in
in four weeks’ time the North West could see more patients in
intensive care than at the peak of the first wave unless action
is taken.
Prime Minister
said:
“I am hugely
grateful to local leaders in the Liverpool City Region for the
constructive discussions this weekend over the further steps we
will take together to combat coronavirus. They will be critical
to save lives and protect the NHS – so it can continue to provide
the essential services that so many of us rely on.
“This is a vital
moment in our national effort against the second wave of the
virus. We will continue to work closely with other local leaders
in the days ahead.”
The government has
also confirmed £14 million for the Liverpool City Region to
enhance enforcement and NHS Test and Trace. Local leaders will be
able to use this for a range of activities including compliance
and enforcement, enhanced contact tracing and support for the
clinically extremely vulnerable.
They will also be
able to call on the armed forces to provide additional logistical
support if necessary.
The support is in
addition to the package announced by Chancellor last week to protect jobs and support businesses
required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus
restrictions.
