The whole region will be subject to the measures from Saturday
The new rules, which will come into force from Saturday, mean you will not be allowed to socialise with people from outside your household indoors. You can, however, continue to meet outdoors in groups of up to six.
Other restrictions apply, on top of the regulations in Tier 1. You can read more about the restrictions on the government website.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said it was better to act now than wait and that he is “not willing to put Londoners’ lives at risk and we must do all we can to minimise economic damage.”
In a statement, he also said that “moving London to the next tier of restrictions from Saturday will, we hope, help slow the spread of the virus, take pressure off the NHS and help avert the possibility of a full lockdown lasting months – which would be the worst possible outcome for Londoners and our economy.”
IMPORTANT UPDATE for Londoners:
Due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases across London, the Government will move our city in to tier two – high alert level – restrictions from Saturday. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/yCf5rBmH5X
— Mayor of London (gov.uk/coronavirus) (@MayorofLondon) October 15, 2020
London’s Members of Parliament were informed of the new measures this morning, prior to Helath Secretary Matt Hancock making the announcement in Parliament.
Ilford North MP, Wes Streeting, has called for more support for local businesses which will be affected by the restrictions.
With Tier 2 restrictions looming for London, so many businesses are facing the prospect of being open in name only: not eligible for support they need, but no customers either.
The Government’s failure to act now with a national circuit breaker will cost us more in the long run.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 15, 2020
Unmesh Desai, the London Assembly member for the City and east London, called the move “necessary.”
No one really wants to implement further restrictions, but moving to tier 2 is necessary to stem rising Covid cases. This is a difficult time for Londoners and London business. The Government must step forward with a support package to protect livelihoods during this time.
— Unmesh Desai AM (@unmeshdesai) October 15, 2020
Essex will also move from Tier 1 to Tier 2 this weekend after Essex County Council called for stricter rules, but those measures do not apply to Thurrock and Southend, which both have a low number of cases and are not governed at county level.
To ALL #Essex Residents,
In a move to slow the current rates of infection across our county, from Saturday, Essex will be placed into the high level of restrictions (tier 2 on the new COVID system).
What does this mean? pic.twitter.com/4q4iIrvlnD
— Essex County Council (@Essex_CC) October 15, 2020
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Tags: Essex, Thurrock, Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Greater London
