The Prime Minister has set out how the government will further simplify and standardise local rules by introducing a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England.
Cases are rising rapidly across the country, particularly in the North East and North West, and this is resulting in increased hospitalisations and deaths.
So far, local outbreaks have been tackled with targeted restrictions - helping save lives and avoiding the need to apply those measures nationally. Over time this has led to different rules in different parts of the country, with some rules becoming increasingly complex and difficult to enforce.
The Prime Minster said that further action is required now to suppress the virus and make sure the NHS isn’t overwhelmed, and can continue providing essential services such as cancer care. In addition, the new measures will further simplify and standardise local rules by introducing a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England.
To watch the PM's statement to the House of Commons please click here.
To watch the PM's press conference from 10 Downing Street please click here.
Parliamentary Scrutiny
Regulations for all three local alert levels will be laid in Parliament today.
They will be debated and voted on in the House of Commons tomorrow. After that vote, they will come into force on Wednesday, subject to the approval of Parliament.
These measures will be kept under constant review, including a four-week sunset clause for interventions in “very high” areas.
Local Engagement
The announcement follows significant local engagement throughout the weekend.
To create local consensus behind this more severe action, the government will work with local leaders on how individual areas should go beyond this baseline, which may include measures such as the closure of gyms, casinos, and leisure centres.
The PM also confirmed that the government will also provide Local Authorities across England with around £1 billion of new financial support.
Three Alert Levels - Medium, High and Very High
All
Non-essential retail, schools and universities will remain open in all levels.
Medium
The “medium” alert level - which will cover most of the country - will consist of the current national measures, which came into force on 25 September.
This includes the Rule of Six, and the closure of hospitality at 10pm.
High
Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the “high” alert level.
This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors. The Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.
The “high” alert level will reflect many current local interventions, but there will now be consistency across the country.
Very High
The “very high” alert level will apply where transmission rates are causing the greatest concern, based on an assessment of all the available data and the local situation.
This includes incidence and test positivity, including amongst older and more at-risk age groups, as well as the growth rate, hospital admissions and other factors.
In these areas, the government will set a baseline of prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens, with the Rule of Six allowed in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
People will be advised not to travel in and out of these areas.
