(Adds details on local lockdowns)
LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Britain put the area of
Lancashire in northwest England into the highest COVID alert
level on Friday, meaning it will face the toughest restrictions
to curb the spread of the virus, including the closure of pubs.
Cases have surged in the region that is home to towns such
as Burnley, Blackburn, Blackpool and Preston, forcing Lancashire
into the very high alert level of Tier 3, along with nearby
Liverpool and Merseyside.
Under terms agreed between the national government in
Westminster and local officials, pubs will close unless they are
selling substantial food and people have been told not to
socialise with anybody indoors that they do not live with.
The change will come into force on Saturday and from Monday
betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and soft play areas for
children must also close.
As a second wave of the pandemic mounts, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson's government has pursued a tiered approach to shut
down local regions with surging cases, in the hope it can allow
the least-affected areas to remain open to protect the economy.
That has sparked anger by some local leaders in northern
England who say the government has not offered enough financial
support to businesses which are having to close.
The most powerful mayor in northern England, Andy Burnham,
is fighting a move to put his Greater Manchester area into the
highest tier unless the government increases its financial
support through the winter.
He accused Johnson's government on Thursday of sacrificing
the north to protect more affluent areas in the south.
The announcement on Lancashire also sparked claims of
inconsistency after gyms were told they could stay open there
but not in Liverpool, prompting the local mayor to dub the
situation a shambles. Gym owners have said they will go bust.
(Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Michael Holden and
Stephen Addison)
