Yesterday the Health Secretary updated the House of Commons on the latest measures we are taking to suppress the virus, protecting our NHS and saving lives while keeping children in school and our economy running to safeguard jobs and livelihoods.
- We know that restrictions are difficult for people and we do not want to have to introduce them. But it is essential we do, both to keep people safe and prevent greater economic damage in the future.
- While discussions with local leaders elsewhere are ongoing, we have developed a substantial package of support for areas that will be required to enter this third tier including more support for local test and trace, more funding for local enforcement and extending the job support scheme, in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.
- From midnight tonight London, Elmbridge, Essex, Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield will enter the high alert level, meaning people must not meet anyone outside of their household indoors, in addition to existing rules such as the rule of six outdoors.
- When a virus is moving fast, we cannot stay still. If we act collectively, we know we can control the virus, as we have done before, to protect the NHS and save lives.