Coronavirus: Some Tier 3 regions have stricter lockdown rules than others - here's why
There have been rows between central government and local leaders as more areas are moved to the highest lockdown tier.
Wednesday 21 October 2020 09:49, UK
Areas being placed under the highest Tier 3 lockdown measures are having to negotiate some of the rules with the government.
Sky News looks at what the differences are between Tier 3 regions, and what the areas that could be placed under stricter coronavirus measures are asking for.
Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and Lancashire, as well as Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, are so far the only areas in the highest tier, while South Yorkshire will go into Tier 3 on Saturday.
Unlike the other tiers, some rules beyond the minimum baseline measures can differ in different areas as they are "subject to consultation with local authorities based on local evidence", according to the Department of Health.
The rules that can be negotiated include closing hospitality venues, leisure centres, gyms, public buildings, personal care services and performing arts venues, and preventing the sale of alcohol in hospitality venues.
A support package for people who cannot work due to the measures and for additional Test and Trace activity is also a negotiation issue.
Here are the different measures negotiated in different areas:
Liverpool City Region
It was the first area to be placed under Tier 3 rules and indoor gyms, dance studios, sports facilities, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos had to close.
It received £14m to support Test and Trace and enforcement efforts when it was placed in Tier 3 on 14 October.
An additional £30m in business support was given to the region a few days later following negotiations, bringing the total to £44m.
Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen
The area has been in Tier 3 since 19 October, with car boot sales, adult gaming centres, bingo halls, betting shops and soft play areas having to close.
A financial support package of £42m was secured for businesses, the care sector and schools.
Its leaders were seeking £58.2m and the government had initially put only £12m on the table.
Differences between Liverpool City Region and Lancashire measures
A row erupted because gyms and leisure centres were allowed to remain open in Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, but not in Liverpool.
Liverpool leaders wrote to the prime minister on 19 October demanding an explanation of the different measures and asking for an immediate review into the decision.
They said the "inconsistencies" undermined the tier system and called for Tier 3 to be standardised.
On 21 October, the government performed a U-turn and allowed Liverpool to reopen its gyms and leisure centres.
Greater Manchester
Leaders in Greater Manchester were in bitter negotiations for more than a week about being placed in Tier 3, before the prime minister announced the area would go into the highest level anyway after a deal couldn't be reached.
Boris Johnson said the region would get around £22m in financial support.
Local leaders wanted around £90m and had argued that the Job Support Scheme was not enough to protect businesses and workers.
Moving into Tier 3 means pubs and bars in Greater Manchester will be closed, unless they serve substantial meals, while betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas will also shut.
Household mixing is banned indoors and outdoors in hospitality settings and private garden, and people are discouraged from travelling in and out of the area.
South Yorkshire
Dan Jarvis, the mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said on Wednesday that South Yorkshire - Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham - will enter Tier 3 restrictions from 1.01am on Saturday.
He said the area will be given £41m - £11m to support Test and Trace and £30m for businesses.
Betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres will have to shut, while gym classes will not be allowed by gyms can remain open.
What are the areas that could soon be placed in Tier 3 and what are they hoping for?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and the North East are holding discussions this week with the government about going into Tier 3.
Dan Jarvis, who is also the Labour MP for Barnsley Central in South Yorkshire, had said on Tuesday the government had not yet offered the support he deemed as being needed "to protect lives and livelihoods" in the area.
Sowerby Bridge councillor Adam Wilkinson said moving West Yorkshire into Tier 3 is "news to us on the council, and would be odd given our infection rates have been stable for the past 7 days".
Leeds, West Yorkshire's main city, has an infection rate of 369.8 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to 15 October, down from 426.8 per 100,000 the week before.
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Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen said he would be calling for "a package that properly protects local people, businesses, jobs and education, whether it's for Tier 2 or Tier 3".
Nottingham has the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country at 711.3 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to 15 October, down from 1001.2 per 100,000 in the seven days up to 8 October.
The North East was given a reprieve last week after council leaders argued they should remain in Tier 2. They are hopeful that with the region's rates dropping they can stay out of Tier 3.
Mr Hancock had said Teesside was also in talks, but Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said he spoke to the health secretary and said "there are no imminent plans to move our area to Tier 3".