Lancashire to hold crunch Covid restrictions meeting with government - hours before expected announcement

Lancashire’s political leaders will hold further talks with the government early this afternoon as they continue to seek agreement over additional lockdown measures for the county.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that the virtual call will take place at 1.30 – just two hours before Boris Johnson is due to make a statement in the Commons on how different parts of the country will be categorised under a new system of three-tier restrictions.

It will be the fourth day in a row that the council leaders have met with government officials – although on this occasion, it is thought that communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick could also be taking part in the discussions.

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As the LDRS revealed yesterday evening, there has so far been no agreement on the measures to be introduced in the county – and continuing uncertainty about exactly where different restrictions might apply.

Lancashire's council leaders have been having talks with the government for four days in a rowLancashire's council leaders have been having talks with the government for four days in a row
Lancashire's council leaders have been having talks with the government for four days in a row

It is understood that the government has asked the county’s leaders to agree which district and unitary council areas should be placed into tier 3 and which into tier 2 as part of the new arrangements – but without giving them an definitive written definition of what each category entails.

Media reports have suggested that hospitality venues will be shut in tier 3 areas and legally enforceable bans introduced on household mixing in all indoor and outdoor settings under tier 2.

Lancashire wants the latter, but not the former – citing figures that just 14 percent of Covid cases in the region can be traced to pubs and restaurants.

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The county has also demanded a multi-million pound package of support for businesses, the care and education sectors and for enforcement of coronavirus regulations – with leaders saying that they want a commitment to that before deciding anything else.