Coronavirus tier 2: Stoke, Coventry and Slough move to ‘high’ lockdown restrictions
Formal discussions on moving Warrington into tier 3, health secretary tells MPs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry and Slough are being moved into the tier 2 “high alert” level of coronavirus restrictions from a minute past midnight on Saturday, health secretary Matt Hancock has announced.
Mr Hancock also announced that he was entering formal discussions with local leaders in Warrington, in Cheshire, on a possible move from tier 2 to the most stringent tier 3 level, under which pubs and bars must close.
Residents of the areas now moving into tier 2 will be barred from indoors meetings with people from outside their household or support bubble, whether at home or in restaurants and bars.
Shops remain open and people can still meet in groups of up to six outside, but residents are encouraged to make as few transport journeys as possible.
Mr Hancock also announced new powers for councils to use closure notices to shut down premises on public health grounds without delay.
And he told the House of Commons that Stoke-on-Trent would be the first council to receive new-style lateral flow tests, which can detect Covid-19 within minutes. Schools and universities have already begun taking delivery on Wednesday of the tests, which are now being rolled out to councils, he said.
“We’ve successfully purchased many millions of these tests and they’ll allow us to both find the virus where it spreads and to reduce the disruption that virus control measures inevitably create," he said.
On vaccines, he said: “I can inform the House we’re initiating human challenge trials to speed up the development of a coronavirus vaccine and improve its safety. We’re contributing £33m to back these trials.”
The health secretary told the House of Commons that Stoke, Coventry and Slough have all seen infection rates rise to over 100 positive cases per 100,000 people.
“Cases are doubling around every fortnight and we’re seeing a concerning increase of cases among the over-60s,” he said.
Mr Hancock said that discussions on moving West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire into tier 3 were continuing.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments