Lancashire is likely to be announced as the latest area to move into Tier 3 of England’s lockdown restrictions, Sky News understands.

Discussions between Westminster and local leaders around the financial package are still ongoing but the decision is expected to be announced within hours.

Liverpool City Region is already under the highest category of the government’s new three-tier system for localised restrictions.

Under Tier 3, people are banned from socialising with other households both indoors and in private gardens, while bars and pubs are closed unless they can operate as restaurants only.

Other areas have been moved to Tier 2, including London, Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, North East Derbyshire, Erewash, Chesterfield, and York.

Southend and Thurrock in Essex are not included in the new measures because they are unitary authorities.

Tier 2 restrictions mean people cannot meet other households socially indoors – whether at home or at other venues such as pubs.

The “rule of six” still applies in outdoor settings – as it does all over the country, and people are advised to “reduce the number of journeys where possible”.

Meanwhile, leaders in Greater Manchester have “unanimously opposed” being put into Tier 3, amid a bitter political row with Westminster.

A call between Greater Manchester leaders and Downing Street officials failed to reach an agreement on new coronavirus rules on Thursday.

And, after those inconclusive talks, Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham branded the Tier 3 plans as “flawed and unfair”.

Source: Read Full Article