brad465
Established Member
The Government have now decided 8 areas that the Indian variant is said to be spreading in significantly are now having "stay local" guidance applied, while those outside those areas are advised not to travel to them:
So much for ditching the highly controversial local restrictions, I do not expect these to go down quietly (and hope they don't).
Covid: Eight Indian variant areas should avoid indoor gatherings
People are also asked not to go into or out of places hardest hit by the so-called Indian variant.
www.bbc.co.uk
The government has advised people not to travel into and out of areas hardest hit by the Indian variant of Covid-19 unless necessary, it has emerged.
Health officials said it was spreading fastest in Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.
Bolton in Greater Manchester recorded 451 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 20 May, the highest in England.
People living in the affected areas are also asked not to meet indoors.
On Friday, the government issued guidance on its website where it recommended those living in the listed areas:
The guidance appears to have been updated on Friday, without any government announcement, to include the eight affected areas - although it was first given earlier in the month for Blackburn and Bolton.
- Meet outside rather than inside where possible
- Keep two metres apart from people who you do not live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with
- Avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education
A televised Downing Street briefing on Wednesday focused heavily on the Indian variant - but did not outline any specific rules or guidance for those areas.
Layla Moran, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus, said this risked causing "confusion and uncertainty".
She said: "This is a major change to policy that will have a huge impact on people's lives. Simply updating the government website without an official announcement is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty.
"Local people and public health leaders in these areas need urgent clarity from the government. Matt Hancock must come before Parliament and make a public statement to explain these new rules.
"It seems crucial lessons have still not been learnt about the importance of clear messaging during a pandemic."
So much for ditching the highly controversial local restrictions, I do not expect these to go down quietly (and hope they don't).