People in Liverpool are being told about activities to avoid as the city stands on the brink of a local lockdown.
Mayor Joe Anderson said yesterday that the city faces a very real possibility of new lifestyle restrictions, as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
The mayor released a blatant update on Sunday, which revealed that the city had recorded 100 more positive cases in the past 24 hours.
The city now has an infection rate of 80 positive tests per 100,000 people, which is higher than in some areas such as Kerveli where additional measures are now in place.
Last week, the city, along with the rest of Merseyside, was added as a “area of concern” to the government watchlist, but the situation appears to be getting worse.
The mayor tweeted: “Liverpool has now reached a level of 80 per 100,000 people who test positive for Covid-19. With an R rate approaching 1.3%.
“The total number of people has increased by 100 people in the last 24 hours now at 410. A real worry and concern that unless we take this seriously, we may face city insurance.”
With Liverpool in such a precarious situation, health managers are urging people to avoid some specific activities to try to avoid the lockdown scenario.
Liverpool Director of Public Health Matt Ashton said on Twitter: “It makes a lot of sense to me based on what we see locally to avoid indoor parties, and only go to bars and restaurants that take care of your health as much as they do business.”
Connecting Mr. Ashton to an infographic that suggests some of the more dangerous activities in terms of sending also include hugs and handshakes, not routinely wearing face masks and going to events like weddings and other parties.
The ‘Rule of Six’ will be released across England on Monday, which means people cannot meet more than six people in a social gathering, inside or outside their homes.
Merseyside police have also urged parents to monitor social distancing or wear a face mask while picking up and collecting children from school.
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Being on a ‘watchlist’ means that the government is now closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Merseyside regarding infection rates and could soon impose new restrictions on the area if cases continue to rise.
Last week, the city stood at 60 tests positive per 100,000 people – so this weekend’s number from the mayor represents another worrying jump.
