Nationwide Lockdown Must Be Prevented... UK Announces Regional Application of 3-Tier COVID System

Infection Rate-Based Classification into 'Normal', 'High', 'Very High'... Liverpool Bans Alcohol Sales in Pubs
Johnson: "COVID-19 Spread Flashes Like Passenger Plane Dashboard Warning Light"

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The UK government has decided to classify regions based on the infection rate of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and apply new measures, including restrictions on gatherings and bans on alcohol sales, in areas with severe outbreaks. The government aims to respond actively to avoid a full lockdown by simplifying and standardizing the measures.

According to BBC and other sources on the 12th (local time), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared before the House of Commons and announced a three-tier COVID-19 response system. This was confirmed at the morning emergency security meeting, the COBRA meeting. The government decided to apply responses classified into three levels?'Medium', 'High', and 'Very High'?based on regional COVID-19 infection rates. This system was established to simplify and apply the previously varied regional lockdown measures more efficiently.

Accordingly, in 'Very High' areas, pubs and bars are prohibited from selling alcohol, and gatherings with other households are banned. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, outdoor gatherings of six or more people are also prohibited in places such as parks and beaches. Prime Minister Johnson announced that Liverpool city has been designated as a 'Very High' area in consultation with local authorities.

Parts of Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, East Cheshire, West Cheshire, and High Peak are classified under the 'High' level. In these areas, indoor gatherings with other households are prohibited. The rest of the UK is classified as 'Medium', maintaining existing measures such as banning gatherings of more than six people and prohibiting pubs and restaurants from operating after 10 p.m.

Johnson stated that the speed of COVID-19 resurgence has accelerated, with confirmed cases quadrupling over the past three weeks, and hospitalizations surpassing those during the nationwide lockdown in March. He described the worsening COVID-19 situation as "like the warning lights on an airplane dashboard flashing." However, he also said that a full lockdown would not be imposed at this time.

Johnson added, "This is a narrow path between the social and economic trauma caused by a full lockdown and the human and economic costs of an uncontrolled epidemic." He emphasized that the country will be tested in the coming months and said, "There is no doubt that we will overcome this together."

According to Worldometer, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the UK is 617,688, with 42,875 deaths recorded. On this day, the daily confirmed cases were 13,972, and new deaths were 50. After reaching 7,860 cases in April and then declining, the number of COVID-19 cases in the UK has surged since September, recently exceeding 10,000 cases per day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.