England to enforce new three-tier Covid-19 curbs

London: England has enforced new three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions, BBC has reported.

Although most of the country is in the lowest tier – medium, millions of people in the North and the Midlands face extra curbs on households mixing. .

The Liverpool region is the only area to be under the toughest rules, with pubs and bars that do not serve meals to remain closed.

Government health officials are due to meet later to discuss the possibility of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and some other areas joining the top tier.

The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said it was "disappointing" the government was "piling the pressure" on the region "without negotiating".

"It risks confusing people coming so soon after the tier two announcement," he said, adding that "unfunded restrictions are unfair and will cause real damage to lives, jobs and businesses".

It comes after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a two to three week "circuit-breaker" lockdown in England to bring the rising infection rate under control.

The new system sees every area of England classed as being on medium, high or very high alert.

Areas on medium alert are subject to the national restrictions currently in force, including the rule of six on indoor and outdoor gatherings and the 22:00 closing time for pubs, bars and restaurants.

In addition to these restrictions, in areas on high alert - including north-east England, much of the North West and parts of the Midlands, along with West and South Yorkshire - different households are not allowed to mix indoors.

Areas on very high alert face extra curbs, with different households banned from mixing indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens.

Pubs and bars will be closed unless they are serving substantial meals and there is also guidance against travelling in and out of the area.

Further restrictions may be agreed for particular regions in the top tier and in the Liverpool City Region gyms, leisure centres, betting shops and casinos will also close.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the system was a "moderate" and "balanced" approach to saving lives while trying to protect the economy.

(From IANS with minor edits)