British PM Johnson to outline new virus lockdown system
CGTN
People shop in Manchester, UK, October 8, 2020. /CFP

People shop in Manchester, UK, October 8, 2020. /CFP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to present a new three-tiered alert system for coronavirus cases in England on Monday, with northwestern Liverpool expected to be the only city placed in the top category.

Like governments throughout Europe, Johnson's Conservative cabinet is seeking to balance bringing down the rate of new infections against concern about the economy and frustration among voters.

The new alert system, which will classify all areas as either "medium," "high" or "very high" risk, is an attempt to bring transparency and uniformity to restrictions introduced to combat the spread of the disease.

It's reported that Liverpool will be the only city placed in the top category, meaning its pubs and restaurants have to close, a move which has not been approved by local authorities yet.

The mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotherham, was quoted by the BBC as saying that "no agreement has yet been reached on this point and negotiations are going on."

Rotherham was reported to have previously warned that the government cannot implement a lockdown on the cheap and called for a support package for the city region.

Passengers talk on an Underground train in London, September 27, 2020. /CFP

Passengers talk on an Underground train in London, September 27, 2020. /CFP

"This is a critical juncture and it is absolutely vital that everyone follows the clear guidance we have set out to help contain the virus," said a Downing Street spokesperson.

British finance minister Rishi Sunak announced on Friday that he would pay up to two-thirds of staff monthly wages to firms forced to close over the winter months under the new system's highest level of lockdown.

Mayors representing several northern English cities, including Manchester and Liverpool, have said the new support falls short for those on minimum wages like bar staff and kitchen workers, and self-employed people such as taxi drivers and security guards.

Several urban centers in northern England have already been hit with a range of curbs on social life such as a ban on different households mixing, but the south has escaped stricter restrictions for now.

Johnson is set to present the system in parliament on Monday afternoon and MPs will be called to vote on the measures later in the week, a source in his office said.

On Sunday, 12,872 people in Britain were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus. The national death toll from coronavirus in Britain is more than 42,000, the worst in Europe. 

(With input from agencies)