Yahoo News South Yorkshire poised for Tier 3 coronavirus lockdown as Boris Johnson to make statement
South Yorkshire is poised to be put under the toughest coronavirus measures after “very successful” talks with local leaders.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to make a statement on the status of the region today, along with Sheffield city region mayor Dan Jarvis.
The area would become the fourth region in England to enter the strictest Tier 3 measures, following Liverpool City Region, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick was asked on Sky News if Sheffield and South Yorkshire would be going into Tier 3.
He replied: “It's not right for me to pre-empt a full statement that the Prime Minister and Dan Jarvis will make later today.
“But we have had very successful conversations with him and with the leaders of South Yorkshire.”
He said he hoped the government was "on the cusp of an agreement” with the area and that there had been “quite detailed” conversations through Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Asked on BBC Breakfast when new restrictions would come into force, he replied: "I think you'll have to wait for that. It's best if people living in South Yorkshire wait to see that announcement from him and from the Government. But it will be made very shortly.”
A spokesman for the Sheffield City Region said on Tuesday evening: “Mayor Dan Jarvis, the leaders of South Yorkshire’s local authorities and the Government have been in extensive and constructive talks over the coronavirus alert level for the region.
“These talks continue as all sides seek to agree a plan which will protect lives, jobs and our NHS.”
It comes after a major row in which the government was unable to come to an agreement with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham on the region moving into Tier 3.
After negotiations broke down, Boris Johnson imposed the stringent rules , but only confirmed a fraction of the funds Manchester politicians wanted from Government.
The restrictions will be introduced in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the party will force a Commons vote on Wednesday demanding a “fair one nation deal” for areas facing Tier 3 restrictions.
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