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Coronavirus: Manchester forced to adopt new restrictions after standoff with government

2020-10-20T17:09:50.960Z


The city of Manchester, in the north-west of England, was imposed from Friday drastic restrictions against the new coronavirus, after several days of unsuccessful showdown with the government over the economic counterparts. Read also: Covid-19: drastic measures expected in England The most bereaved country in Europe by the pandemic with almost 44,000 dead, the United Kingdom is reacting to the r


The city of Manchester, in the north-west of England, was imposed from Friday drastic restrictions against the new coronavirus, after several days of unsuccessful showdown with the government over the economic counterparts.

Read also: Covid-19: drastic measures expected in England

The most bereaved country in Europe by the pandemic with almost 44,000 dead, the United Kingdom is reacting to the resurgence of contamination in a localized manner, sometimes at the mercy of tensions between London and local communities.

The Conservative government last week introduced a three-tier warning system for England, '

medium

', '

high

' and '

very high

'.

"

Given the health situation, I must put the Manchester region on alert level + very high +

", Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press conference after a week of conflict with the mayor of Manchester, in a region with a large underprivileged population that often feels neglected or even despised by London.

The local elected, Andy Burnham, resisted this measure without additional financial support for businesses, since this last level involves among other things the closure of bars and pubs not serving food.

Members of different households will no longer be able to meet, with very rare exceptions, and travel to or out of this area will be discouraged.

Read also: Germany, Italy, England, Belgium: new anti-Covid restrictions divide Europeans

But the discussions did not result before Tuesday noon, limit set by London to find a compromise with the city, which represents with its periphery 2.8 million inhabitants.

Boris Johnson announced to release 22 million pounds of aid (24 million euros), or about a third of what the mayor considered essential and much less than what the government had proposed in compromise, according to the press.

"

At no time today have we been offered enough to protect the poorest in the face of the harsh reality of the coming winter

," reacted at a press conference Andy Burnham, visibly moved.

According to him, new restrictions "will

increase poverty

", while many "

businesses are already on the verge of closing

".

Despite everything, he asked his constituents to "

respect the law at all times

".

Downing Street had warned that the government would pass in force for lack of compromise, stressing that in the region, "

hospitalizations are doubling every nine days

".

Labor opposition leader Keir Starmer denounced him "

the failure of government

" and "

the contempt with which the Conservatives have treated local communities, especially in the Midlands, the North West and the North East

".

"

Labor recognizes the need for stricter restrictions, but this must however be accompanied by additional financial support

," he added.

Read also: Covid-19: British researchers plan to infect volunteers

Across England, meetings of more than six people are banned and pubs and restaurants are due to close at 10 p.m. GMT but around half of the population, including London, now lives under tighter local restrictions.

Wales has decided to impose a general confinement of two weeks from Friday, some classes however resuming the second week.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-10-20

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