Boris Johnson is expected to announce his three-tier coronavirus lockdown strategy on Monday, detailing how parts of the country will be split into “medium,” “high” or “very high” alert levels.
The prime minister will address MPs in the House of Commons around 3.30pm before holding a press conference around 6pm.
He chaired a COBRA emergency committee on Monday to “determine the final interventions” and will hold the press briefing alongside the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.
What is he expected to say?
Mr Johnson is expected to outline his three-tier system representing an advancing scale of local lockdowns.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Our primary focus has always been to protect lives and livelihoods while controlling the spread of the virus and these measures will help achieve that aim.
“We must do everything we can to protect the NHS and make sure it can continue to deliver the essential services that so many people rely on.
“This is a critical juncture and it is absolutely vital that everyone follows the clear guidance we have set out to help contain the virus.”
What are the new restrictions thought to be?
The first tier is thought to correspond with the baseline restrictions in place across England, including the 10pm hospitality curfew and ban on most gatherings of more than six people.
Tier two is expected to be similar to current restrictions imposed on Middlesbrough and parts of the north east, where indoor household mixing is not allowed. Two households are still allowed to meet in a private garden providing the rule of six and social distancing is followed.
The set-up of the third tier is less understood at this time, but leaders in Liverpool have said pubs and bars, betting shops, casinos and gyms would close, while reports also suggest people will have to avoid all non-essential travel and refrain from travelling between areas.
Additional reporting by agencies
