TIME'S UP
What did Boris Johnson say in his speech today?
BORIS Johnson has updated the country on local lockdown restrictions today (October 16).
Lancashire is going into Tier 3 this weekend, but the battle over Greater Manchester continues.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
2
What did Boris Johnson say in his speech today?
Boris Johnson delivered a news conference to the country today at 4pm.
Boris Johnson started by thanking local leaders for “working constructively” to help implement local lockdowns under the new tier system.
He also paid special thanks to leaders in London, Liverpool and Lancs.
The Prime Minister said that the government is providing funds for areas in high alert levels to put measures in place, and that it is introducing local contact tracing.
Greater Manchester
He said that an agreement with Greater Manchester has not yet been reached, and that he understands their reluctance to enter a Tier 3 lockdown.
However, he highlighted the grave situation in Greater Manchester, pointing out that cases have doubled in the last nine days.
"Our efforts will be so much more effective if we work together", he said.
The PM said: “Without action there is no doubt that our NHS would be struggling to meet the demands of treating covid patients.”
New restrictions are the right thing to do,” he added.
The PM warned he would have no choice but to intervene if leaders in Manchester continue to argue against a Tier Three lockdown.
He urged the leaders to cooperate.
No to national lockdown
He said he disagrees that a national lockdown would be a positive course of action: "If at all possible, I want to avoid a national lockdown."
He mentioned that closing businesses in areas where cases are low, such as Cornwall, would not be beneficial to the country.
Testing
The PM said that people without symptoms can affect many others without knowing about it.
It is therefore vital to test everybody who comes into contact with those who've been anywhere near an infected person.
Over the next few weeks, the government will distribute and use super-fast new tests around the country, testing more and more people and isolating any positive cases.
Self-isolating
Boris Johnson has once again stressed the importance of self-isolation.
He said if people follow the rules “we will suppress this disease”.
He also reminded the public about "hands, face, space”.
What are the other latest updates on the Tier 2 and 3 restrictions?
Mr Johnson has put Lancashire and into Tier 3.
The new measures will see pubs close and prevent households from mixing, even in gardens.
It's not yet known if Greater Manchester or the North East of England will be moved into Tier 3.
The PM is reportedly facing a Tory rebellion over the government's lockdown plans in the north of England.
On October 16, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned that Manchester will be forced into a Tier 3 lockdown as a "last resort" if local leaders refuse to agree a deal for more restrictions today.
Mr Raab accused Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of trying to hold the Government "over a barrel" and said they'll keep powers to push Northern hotspots into lockdown "in reserve".
2
LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS
On October 15, Mr Burnham refused to support tougher lockdown measures for the city unless 80 per cent of wages are paid for businesses forced to shut.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Labour mayor accused the government of treating the North "with contempt" by bringing in unproven measures, carried out "on the cheap".
But on October 16, the PM hit back saying the measures were about "saving lives".
Boris Johnson says he will impose Tier 3 restrictions on Manchester and other areas who refuse to act
Topics