Government considering new plans for ‘Tier 4’ local restrictions, according to reports

Discussions are underway for a new ‘Tier 4’ local lockdown system, according to reports.

Tier 4 lockdown could be on the cards if the current system has not had any effect by mid-November.

According to iNews, the Government are considering a potential plan B, which could include ‘Tier 3 plus or ‘Tier 4’.

It comes, despite Boris Johnson explaining that a full lockdown ‘from John O’Groats to Land’s End’ was not an option, as concerns rise that tier r restrictions will not bring the R rate down before Christmas. 

Although it has not been officially announced, the plans will include further restrictions such as closing restaurants and non-essential retail such as clothes shops.

Similar to Wales and Northern Ireland, a short-term local circuit breaker is also said to be under discussion.

iNews has also reported that in order to bring the R number down to below 1 from its current nationwide level of 1.6 leaders in Tier 3 regions need to cut social contact by 60%.

The proposed ‘Tier 4’ could not be a nationwide shutdown but would involve short-term deep measures including toughened rules for travelling in and outside of areas. 

Greater Manchester has been in Tier 3 for only 4 days now, after a week of back and forth between the government and local leaders, should we start preparing for Tier 4?