Large parts of south and east England move to Covid tier 3 as Bristol rules eased Peter Walker, Helen Pidd, Josh Halliday and Caelainn Barr
More than two-thirds of England faces winter under the toughest level of coronavirus restrictions after large sections of the south and east were put into tier 3, prompting anguish from local leaders.
Mayors and MPs from the north expressed disappointment after none of their regions were moved down, with some complaining they were being unfairly treated.
However, some public health chiefs took a different view, with one expressing dismay that Herefordshire had been shifted to the least stringent measures. Asked if she was pleased about the move to tier 1, Rebecca Howell-Jones, acting director of public health in Herefordshire, said: “From a public health perspective, I would have to say no, we are disappointed by this news.”
By Aran Dhillon, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady (Photo: parliamentlive.tv) A FRUSTRATED Greater Manchester MP has questioned the health secretary on why his constituency remains in tier three while Warrington – with higher coronavirus rates – avoids it. Chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbench MPs Sir Graham Brady questioned what Greater Manchester has to do to move out of it in the House of Commons earlier today, Thursday. Sir Graham, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said: “Can I tell (Matt Hancock) that the statement will be greeted with dismay in Greater Manchester where we have had severe restrictions for nine months, where in nine of the ten boroughs rates are below the national average.