Boris Johnson is set to announce new local Covid-19 measures this week - here is what to expect

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address Parliament on Monday, October 12 however a set time is yet to be announced.

Typically, previous announcements made in the House of Commons relating to Covid-19 restrictions tend to take place between late morning and mid-afternoon.

It comes after the Prime Minister’s chief strategic adviser, Sir Edward Lister, wrote to northern MPs following a meeting with leaders from the north on Friday, October 9 to warn them it was “very likely” the region would be hit with tougher rules.

So what can be expected from Boris Johnson’s next announcement?

A three-tier local lockdown system

Reports are suggesting that the Prime Minister will announce the introduction of a “three-tier system” which will outline the rules for local areas depending on how quickly cases are spreading.

The levels of the tier system are yet to be officially announced however it is understood that a “tier three” lockdown could see a total ban on socialising outside of your household, with the possibility of pubs and restaurants having to close for a certain period of time. Northern leaders have opposed further restrictions, highlighting that it will have a major impact on the local economy.

Pubs, bars and restaurants could face further restrictions

Last week, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that pubs, bars and restaurants in the country’s Covid-19 hotspots would have to close for a certain period of time.

Media reports began circulating on Thursday, October 8 that leaked information from the Government suggested a similar fate was coming to the hospitality sector in northern England.

It is expected that Boris Johnson will outline further restrictions on the hospitality sector tomorrow (October 12) but it is unclear if venues will be forced to close.On Friday, October 9, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak revealed a new job support scheme which would see the Government cover two-thirds of employees wages should they be unable to go to work due to Covid-19 restrictions.

It will cover those working in the hospitality sector should the need for closure arise.

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