Three-Tier COVID-19 Restrictions Draw Mixed Response

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed new three-tier restrictions in England in an effort to combat escalating numbers of COVID-19 cases.

The new three-tier restrictions will classify local authorities into coronavirus alert levels, which will be designated by the level of risk, according to The Guardian. The new three-tier restrictions were created in order to simplify the current coronavirus regulations without implementing another total lockdown.

The three-tier restrictions will divide areas into:

• Tier 1 — medium risk
• Tier 2 — high risk
• Tier 3 — very high risk

“This is not how we want to live our lives, but this is the narrow path we have to tread between the social and economic trauma of a full lockdown and the massive human, and indeed economic cost of an uncontained epidemic,” Johnson said, according to The Guardian.

Keir Starmer, who responded on behalf of the Labour Party, said it is agreed that action needed to be taken, but he is “deeply skeptical” that Johnson’s new three-tier restrictions are going to de-escalate the number of coronavirus cases and alleviate the negative effect on the economy, The Guardian reported.

MPs have also criticised Johnson for the new coronavirus rules imposed on bars and other businesses.

To date, only Merseyside has moved to Tier 3, meaning pubs are closed, people living in different households cannot mix and the regions’ gyms, casinos and places of leisure are closed.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is content with the government’s decision to not close bars and pubs at Tier 2. 

Burnham said closing pubs will do more harm than good.

“It’s mixing that spreads the disease and we don’t have evidence that hospitality is the main cause,” Burnham told The Guardian. “In fact, I would go as far as to say that the closing of hospitality causes more mixing in terms of social gatherings. I know they haven’t got the evidence because we asked for it and they couldn’t produce it.”

Most of England will remain at Tier 1, under the current restrictions, but regions can move up a tier easily if coronavirus cases increase. 

Areas that are currently under local lockdowns are expected to be at Tier 2, and restrictions will be tighter. 

Liverpool is currently at Tier 3, the highest in the three-tier restrictions, meaning social distancing applies in every circumstance except for in outdoor public areas. 

Millions of people have been awaiting the announcement of Johnson’s three-tier restrictions, knowing that the pandemic’s rules were likely going to get tougher, the Associated Press reported. 

While the three-tier restrictions are constrictive to residents and businesses, the U.K. is experiencing massive increases in the number in COVID-19 cases. 

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, has cautioned that the U.K. is at a “tipping point”, as coronavirus cases are nearly at the same figures they were in March, according to the Associated Press. 

“But we can prevent history repeating itself if we all act now. Now we know where it is and how to tackle it — let’s grasp this opportunity and prevent history from repeating itself,” Van-Tam told the Associated Press.

Following the reopening of many sectors across the U.K., COVID-19 levels have spiked, and without action, some fear that hospitals will be overwhelmed. Winter is already a tough time, as it is flu season, but the coronavirus is complicating things further.

The official death toll in the U.K. is near 43,000, the Associated Press reported. 

While the three-tier restrictions have come into enforcement, the new rules are being discussed and voted on by MPs.

Johnson is also the target of a Tory backlash over the announcement of the three-tier restrictions, according to MSN. Some say the strict pandemic restrictions violate personal liberties, and some are against the pub curfews, arguing the rules are merely hurting businesses. 

What tier is your town? Do you agree with the new three-tier restrictions? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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