London moves to Tier 3 lockdown Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Posted on by Lauren Hurrell

Greater London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move to tougher Tier 3 restriction on Wednesday after a “sharp” increase in Covid cases, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced.

Hancock called for “swift and decisive action” to “control this deadly disease” in an address to the Commons earlier today.

A new variant of the coronavirus which “may be associated with faster spread in south east England” has also been identified in London and the South East, Hancock informed the assembled MPs. 

However, there is no evidence to suggest that this strain is more likely to cause serious disease or does not respond to the Covid vaccine, he added.

These new restrictions come into place on 00:01 Wednesday December 14. 


While the scheduled review of England’s three-tier system is also due on Wednesday, Hancock said that the current surge in cases, doubling every seven days in some parts of the country, meant they were unable to wait until then to act.

The new rules mean bars, pubs, café and restaurants in Tier 3 areas can only provide takeaway or delivery. People from different households or bubbles will be unable to mix indoors, in private gardens or in most outdoor venues.

However, different households can meet in outdoors spaces like parks or beaches if following the rule of six. 

Shops, gyms and personal care services, including hairdressers, will remain open. However, football stadiums and theatres will be forced to close their doors again, just after they reopened on the 2 December.

Between the December 2-8, London had a rate of 225 Covid cases per 100,000 population. This compares with a rate of 166 for the previous week. Cases are also on the rise in nearly every one of the city’s boroughs.

Matt Hancock revealed there has been a 14 per cent increase in new cases of coronavirus in one week in a subsequent press briefing alongside England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, and Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for Public Health England 

There has also been a “worrying” rise in coronavirus cases in the over-60s, he added.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that the “economic impact” of Tier 3 on businesses “could be catastrophic” and urged the government to compensate businesses affected by these restrictions during the festive period.

He also asked for additional support from the Government to get the virus under control, including increased testing to be extended to students and staff at London secondary schools and sixth form colleges.

 

In his address to Parliament, Matt Hancock acknowledged that the restrictions would be a “significant blow” to businesses but insisted action needed to be taken to prevent infections from increasing further.

Greenwich council also told all schools to close yesterday after a sharp rise in cases in the area.

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt asked whether people from outside London will be able to come to Oxford Street to do their Christmas shopping. Hancock said should avoid travel to and from Tier 3 areas unless “absolutely necessary.” 

This announcement comes nine days before the scheduled relaxation of the tiered system for Christmas. The break runs from December 23, when the next review of the tier system is also due, until December 27. At this time, three separate households can mix indoors. 

Both the press and MPs questioned whether relaxing the rules undermine any impact this new tier announcement will have on cases. 

However, there are no current plans to cancel the tiers relaxation, Hancock stated.

Professor Chris Whitty added: “There is not a perfect solution.”