tier – COOPER GENERAL NEWS

A bus drives past a sign detailing measures taken by the government against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the first day of a newly imposed lockdown on November 5, 2020 in London, UK.

John Sibley | Reuters

LONDON – The UK government on Wednesday outlined plans to impose stricter coronavirus restrictions on millions of people across England as a new strain of the virus spreads across the country.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more regions would be classified in the toughest Tier 4 category from 12:01 a.m. London time on Thursday.

“This new variant is now spreading in most of England and the cases are quickly doubling,” Hancock told the House of Commons. “It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 4 measures to a larger area, including the remaining parts of the south-east as well as large parts of the central plateau, the north-west, the north-east and the south-west.”

The move will mean three-quarters of the population will be in Tier 4 for the new year, Hancock said.

The restrictions imposed on a “stay at home” order mean people are not allowed to leave their homes unless they have a reasonable excuse. Businesses such as non-essential stores, gyms, and hairdressers are closing.

The announcement comes shortly after the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine was approved for use in the UK emergency. The vaccine is believed to allow the UK to speed up its vaccination program significantly.

“We must of course vaccinate as soon as supplies allow, after the necessary security checks have been carried out, and the NHS is ready to accelerate the deployment on a larger scale from Monday January 4th,” said Hancock.

He added, “We have ordered a total of 100 million doses which, together with the Pfizer vaccine, is enough to vaccinate every adult in the UK with both doses.”

Anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one, Hancock said, adding that the UK will have 530,000 doses available as of Monday, with millions more due from Astra-Zeneca in early February.

Government data shows that infection rates have risen sharply across England over the past week, with significant pressure on hospitals.

53,135 new Covid cases were registered in the UK on Tuesday, the highest increase in a day since mass testing began.

On Wednesday, the latest government figures showed 981 people in the UK died within 28 days of a positive Covid test – the highest number of deaths since April 9. The UK reported 414 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test on Tuesday.

The new variant of the coronavirus in the UK is reportedly more transferable and has resulted in travel restrictions for people trying to leave the country. The new strain, known in science as SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01, could be up to 70% more transmissible, said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

U.S. health officials on Wednesday confirmed the new strain’s first case. Several other countries have also identified the variant strain in the past few weeks.

Commuters walk the Thames Path with a view of Tower Bridge in London, UK on Monday 14 December 2020.

Hollie Adams | Bloomberg via Getty Images

LONDON – London is being placed in England’s toughest coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday morning from midnight after a rapid surge in Covid-19 infection rates.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the move on Monday when addressing lawmakers in the House of Commons. He said UK authorities had identified a new variant of the virus that could be linked to the faster spread of cases in the south-east of England.

“Initial analyzes indicate that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants,” said Hancock, adding that 1,000 cases of the new variant have been identified in England so far.

“There is currently no evidence that this variant is more likely to cause serious illness and, based on the latest clinical recommendations, it is highly unlikely that this mutation will not respond to a vaccine.”

Hancock said similar variants of the coronavirus had been identified in other countries in the past few months and that UK health officials had notified the World Health Organization. Public health experts would continue to analyze the newly identified variant of the virus in the UK, Hancock said.

Earlier this month the government put in place a three tier system of public health measures across England to contain the spread of the outbreak after a month-long lockdown.

At the time, millions of people across the country were placed in “Tier 3” but the UK capital was placed in the second highest level of restrictions.

A nationwide review of the tiered system was originally scheduled for December 16.

In addition to London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move into “Tier 3” from 00:01 London time on Wednesday.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock arrives at the BBC Broadcasting House in London to appear on the Andrew Marr Show.

Aaron Chown | PA Images via Getty Images

“I know this is difficult news and I know that it will disrupt plans and that it will be a severe blow to the companies affected,” said Hancock.

“But this measure is absolutely necessary, not only to keep people safe, but because we have seen that taking action early can help prevent more damaging and longer-lasting problems later,” he added.

What does tier 3 mean?

Under Tier 3 restrictions, people cannot mix indoors, in private gardens, or in most outdoor locations.

Shops, gyms, and personal care services such as hairdressers are allowed to stay open, but bars, pubs, and restaurants must be closed except for takeaway and delivery.

“I know these steps are difficult, but we mustn’t waver when we hit the final stretch. When we look back on this period of crisis we can all say we played our part,” said Hancock.

Last week, the UK became the first country to vaccinate people with a coronavirus treatment that has been fully tested.

Margaret Keenan, then 90, made history as the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine outside of the experimental conditions.

It is now being given out to front-line health workers, nursing home workers and those over the age of 80 before it becomes more widespread among the UK population.

It is hoped that a safe and effective vaccine can help end the coronavirus pandemic.

To date, more than 72.3 million people worldwide have become infected with Covid-19, with 1.61 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

– CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.