The Prime Minister has introduced a new three-tier lockdown system for England, with "medium", "high" and "very high" alert levels. In his speech on Monday 12th, Boris Johnson said that we are entering a new and crucial phase of our fight against Coronavirus. The number of cases has gone up four times in four weeks and the figures, said the PM, “are flashing at us like dashboard warnings in a passenger jet.”
In response to the worsening situation, the three-tier system will aim to standardise Covid-19 rules across the UK. Most areas in England are in the medium alert level - meaning current restrictions continue, including the 10pm hospitality curfew.
Areas already under additional local restrictions are automatically in the high alert level - meaning the current bans on household mixing indoors are extended to include hospitality venues. Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak now come into this category, as well as Greater Manchester, parts of South Yorkshire, and north-east England.
The Liverpool City Region - home to 1.5 million people - becomes the first area to enter the very high alert level, with the closure of pubs and bars not serving food from Wednesday 14th. Betting shops, gyms, leisure centres and casinos will also close in the region. Around 4.4 million people will be in high alert areas.
The PM said around £1bn of "new financial support" would be provided to local authorities in England with further financial support for local test and trace and local enforcement in very high alert areas. A postcode search will launch on the government website enabling residents to determine which rules apply to them.
A new government scheme launched last week will help jobseekers find permanent and temporary work in high demand areas. If you’re looking for a new role, Umbrella Exchange have access to a wide range of hassle-free services that can help you with setting up a limited company or finding the right umbrella company for you. To talk to a member of our team, call: 0203 393 3881
