Lancashire's new Covid restrictions confirmed - but strong hint that tougher measures are on the way

The region will be classed as a Tier 2 area of “high risk” for transmission of the virus.

That means household mixing will be banned in all indoor settings – both homes and public venues –with the latter now becoming legally enforceable.

Currently in Lancashire, mixing is illegal – except for support bubbles – in dwellings and gardens, but there is only strong advice against it elsewhere.

The rule on multiple households gathering in gardens is also partially relaxed under this tier – it is now to be allowed, but still subject to the rule of six.

The new regulations will come into force from Wednesday, subject to Parliamentary approval.

However, the Prime Minister’s announcement on the new three-tier Covid measures brought with it confusion – both before and after it was made.

MPs were briefed, just hours ahead of Boris Johnson’s statement in the Commons, that the county was set for Tier 2 – but when he took to his feet, the Prime Minister said that “engagement” was ongoing with council leaders across most of the North West.

At that point, several Lancashire council chiefs confirmed that talks were continuing – but less than two hours later, the government issued a statement revealing Lancashire’s Tier 2 status.

A definitive decision for the county had been expected following four meetings between council leaders and government officials in as many days – including one just an hour before the Prime Minister spoke.

One source close to the discussions told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the government had given the “strong impression” that it wanted at least some districts to be shifted into Tier 3. Another source agreed that such a move was still likely in the coming days – although that was before the late afternoon confirmatory statement.

County council leader Geoff Driver has since said it is “highly likely” more restrictions are on the way.

Lancashire leaders had been asking to see the exact definitions of each of the tiers since Friday, but had still not been given them even at a meeting earlier on Monday. It is understood that the government had asked councils to agree which areas they wanted to be placed into which tier.

However, leaders were holding out for a definition of the restrictions and a commitment to their demand for a multi-million pound package of support for the care and education sectors, businesses and enforcement of any new and existing restrictions.

The Prime Minister’s Commons address appeared to be appealing to leaders in all parts of the North West to agree to Tier 3 restrictions – which would include the closure of hospitality venues and a ban on mixing in all indoor and outdoor settings.

Lancashire’s leaders had specifically asked for the latter, but wanted to avoid the former – claiming that shutting pubs and restaurants would make only a “marginal” difference to Covid transmission.

Having praised the Liverpool City Region for signing up to Tier 3, Mr. Johnson turned his attention to leaders elsewhere across the North and said:

“I know how difficult this is. They, like us, are grappling with real dilemmas – but we cannot let the NHS fall over when lives are at stake.

“So let me repeat the offer that we’re making to those local authorities – work with us on these difficult but necessary measures in the areas that are rated very high [for Covid] in return for more support for local test and trace, more funding for local enforcement, the offer of help from the armed forces, and the job support scheme announced by the chancellor.

“I believe not to act would be unforgivable, so I hope rapid progress can be made in coming days,” the Prime Minister added.

However, the subsequent statement placing Lancashire into Tier 2 seemed to suggest that any government desire for a tougher lockdown in Lancashire had been abandoned – at least for the moment.

Yet some council leaders were under the impression late on Monday that talks were expected to continue in the coming days – meaning that moment could yet be brief.

Ribble Valley’s Conservative MP Nigel Evans said further discussions still made sense, even in light of the apparently definitive tier 2 status.