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| FILE PHOTO: People stand in a queue to get tested for COVID-19 at a walk-through centre amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Liverpool Britain, October 6, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo |
Liverpool City Region will go into the strictest โthird tierโ of new anti-coronavirus restrictions to be announced imminently by Britain, its leaders said late on Sunday after talks with the British government.
The government has decided that further measures and closures will apply to Liverpool City Region, its leaders, including Mayor Steve Rotheram, said in a joint statement.
โPubs and bars; betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres and gyms will close,โ the statement added https://bit.ly/3iRyMrG.
The leaders said the furlough scheme announced recently by Finance Minister Rishi Sunak was inadequate.
โBusinesses in the region especially those in the hospitality sector and those serving it will be damaged and many will suffer long term damage or close for goodโ, they said.
The statement added that the leaders have agreed with the government to remain in dialogue to establish a โmutually agreeableโ financial support package to mitigate the impact of new โTier 3โ restrictions.
โWe also require clear definition of the exit strategy from Tier 3โ, the statement said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out new measures to try to contain a growing coronavirus crisis on Monday, outlining three new alert levels to better coordinate the governmentโs under-fire response.
Northern England has been particularly hard hit by a new surge in coronavirus cases that has forced local lockdowns.
In their statement, Liverpool City Region leaders acknowledged the governmentโs offer on new local arrangements and funding support for a coronavirus test-and-trace system.
The Sunday Times newspaper had reported earlier that mayors in the UK will be given more control over the test-and-trace system as the national government attempts to secure their backing for tough new lockdown rules.
REUTERS
