Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the Liverpool City Region will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions, which will see pubs, bars, gyms, adult gaming centres, betting shops and casinos closed.
The latest lockdown update comes as a massive blow to the city region which consists of the follow areas Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens and Halton.
The tougher rules have been brought into play to control the spread of the coronavirus in areas with the highest infection rates, with the most serve having to adhere to the ban of household mixing, restrictions on travel outside the area to essential journeys only and the closure of pubs and bars.
The region is to receive a six-month package of financial government support as part of the Tier 3 restrictions, which also sees the Army being drafted into the region. It will also be made illegal for households to meet, while travel out of the area will be advised against but will not be made illegal.
During his speech to Parliament Boris Johnson said:
“We’ve been able to reach agreement with leaders on Merseyside.
I’ve spoken to local authorities in the Liverpool city region and they will move into the very high alert level from Wednesday. Pubs, bars, gyms and leisure centres, betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres will all close.”
“I’d like to put on record my thanks to Steve Rotheram for their co-operation in very difficult circumstances.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has said restaurants will be able to remain open until 10.30pm and will see the new measures come into effect from Wednesday 14th October. The amount of time the measures will be in place for has not yet been announced, but it could be for as long as six months on a four-week ‘sunset clause’ meaning it will be reviewed monthly.
Non-essential retail, Schools and universities will remain open.
