13 October 2020 - Boris Johnson announces three-tier COVID restrictions
Coronavirus: What each tier means for restrictions across UK
Tom Batchelor (The Independent, 12/10/2020)
Boris Johnson has announced a three-tier approach to coronavirus restrictions with all of England put into “medium”, “high” and “very high” risk categories.
The prime minister set out the simplified and standardised system in a bid to stem the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Under all three tiers, schools, universities and childcare providers remain open and youth clubs can continue to run activities.
But there are some key differences. Here is a breakdown of what each tier means.
PM faces backlash after announcing three-tier COVID restrictions
Jon Craig (Sky News, 13/10/2020)
Boris Johnson's new coronavirus lockdown rules are being debated and voted on by MPs, with the prime minister facing a Tory backlash and potential rebellion.
Some Conservative MPs are against the measures on civil liberties grounds, while others claim restrictions such as the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants are counter-productive.
England's simpler three-tier Covid system may not be enough
Ian Sample (The Guardian, 12/10/2020)
The three-tier Covid alert system is a significant shift in the government’s approach to the coronavirus crisis in England, and, while scientists broadly welcomed the simplified rules, there are concerns the restrictions come too late and are open to abuse.
A major benefit of the new system is that it clears up the confusing and messy patchwork of different rules in different places, which arose as regions in northern England, the Midlands and other parts of the country battled to contain local outbreaks. With simplicity and stability should come better compliance, and with that more control of the epidemic.
“The evidence shows that the public grasp of the rules has been in decline for some time,” said Prof John Drury, a member of the behavioural science subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) at the University of Sussex, who spoke in a personal capacity. “The simplification of the rules is to be welcomed,” he added.
Pubs in 'very high' risk areas to close again: the latest Covid rules and restrictions
Tomé Morrissy-Swan (The Telegraph, 13/10/2020)
Pubs and bars face closures across England in the areas worst affected by Covid-19, in the latest round of Government measures to combat the pandemic.
In an announcement to the House of Commons on Monday 12 October, Boris Johnson introduced a "three-tier" approach, with different measures rolled out in different regions depending on the amount of cases per 100,000 people. The measures will come into force on Wednesday 14 October