By Ben Kerrigan-
Pubs and restaurants are to face fresh restrictions after Downing Street said new data suggests there is “significant” transmission taking place in hospitality settings.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the government was “currently considering what steps to take”
Downing Street say a “range of measures” is being looked at, with a particular focus on northern England, where it says infection rates are rising fastest.
The rise of infection rates in cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, has led to the plans to close things down. In the meantime, Labour has challenged the government to publish the scientific evidence behind the 22:00 BST closing time for pubs and restaurants in England.
Health minister Nadine Dorries said further measures are needed because hospital admissions could be at a “critical stage” in around 10 days’ time.
Leaked Government documents shows that a new three-tier system for restrictions will be announced on Monday before measures come into force on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We are seeing coronavirus cases rise across the entire country but they are rising faster in the North East and the North West.
“We are keeping the data under close review and we are considering a range of options to reduce the spread of the virus in order to protect communities and to protect the NHS.”
He suggested new restrictions on hospitality could be introduced in England as ministers come under pressure to act after Scotland announced fresh restrictions on the hospitality sector.
“Early data does suggest that a significant proportion of exposure to the virus is seen in the hospitality sector, and that is even more pronounced in younger age groups where we have been seeing the most rapid rise in infections,” the spokesman said.
“The data is new and we will continue to gather evidence and review it.”