Covid-19: Carlisle moves into tier 2 restrictions

Carlisle has moved into tier two coronavirus restrictions, with households in the city no longer allowed to mix indoors in any setting.

It came into effect from midnight, just hours after it was announced, with the county council's leader describing the short notice as an "omnishambles".

The government said it was prepared to take "swift and decisive action to protect communities and save lives".

The decision, affecting more than 108,000, will be reviewed in two weeks.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced that England would be going into a four-week lockdown from Thursday.

Carlisle recorded 262 new cases in the week to Monday, giving an infection rate of 241 cases per 100,000 people, against England's average of 225.

Stewart Young, Labour leader of Cumbria County Council and who also represents the Upperby ward on the city council, said the announcement had come as a surprise.

He said: "It's been an onmishambles. I've honestly never known anything like it.

"Whether it's been lack of communication or incompetence I just don't know, but it's absolutely no way to handle something like this."

The Conservative MP for Carlisle, John Stevenson, said the council was fully aware of the rising numbers.

"I think it was clear that there was an inevitability we would move into tier two; the question was precisely when", he said.

"The government does have to make quick decisions at times, sometimes very close to the last minute.

"But I do appreciate it would be better to have a longer period to know when we're moving."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We work closely with local leaders, directors of public health and local government at all levels to agree measures to help reduce the transmission of the virus, whilst minimising the impact to livelihoods and the economy.

"The government is prepared to take swift and decisive action to protect communities and save lives, and decisions are informed by the latest epidemiological evidence."

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