Coronavirus news: Pubs and gyms set to close as Johnson prepares to announce new local lockdown measures amid growing northern revolt

Police crack down on Piers Corybn rally

Police have reported three people under coronavirus legislation for attending an anti-lockdown rally involving Piers Corybn.

Mr Corybn, the brother of the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, addressed the crowd on the steps of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff wielding a microphone in front of a poster proclaiming: "End all Covid Vax" and "Take down 5G".

He told his supporters on Twitter yesterday that police had warned he could be arrested if he travelled to Cardiff, saying: "I'm going. DEFY THEM! GO in huge numbers *#FreeCardiff*"

South Wales Police said in a statement: "Two men and a woman who attended today's event have been reported for summons for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by entering Cardiff without reasonable excuse.

"It is unacceptable and extremely disappointing that people have flouted the rules by travelling into Cardiff and gathering in large numbers.

"Inquiries are continuing and further action against other individuals is anticipated once all evidence has been considered."

Italy considers new restrictions

Italy is preparing fresh nationwide restrictions, including a ban on private parties, in response to a recent spike in new coronavirus cases.

Health Minister Roberto Speranza said the measures would help to avoid a new national lockdown after more than 5,000 new cases were reported on two consecutive days this weekend.

"Now we need a change of pace, and to intervene with measures, not comparable to those adopted in the past, which could allow us to put the contagion under control and avoid tougher measures later on," he said in an interview with RAI state TV.

Mr Speranza said he proposed a ban on private parties, involving both children and adults, while bars and restaurants in Rome could restrict their opening hours.

Other measures could involve sports with physical contact that offer no chance to wear a mask, he added.

‘Urgent action is needed’

Labour’s shadow health secretary has called for “urgent action” to slow the spread of coronavirus as the government considers more severe restrictions in northern England.

Jonathan Ashworth highlighted one report indicating rising numbers of critically ill patients in the region and another predicting that there could be 850 deaths in North West hospitals within the next five weeks.

He tweeted: "A reminder of the seriousness of what we are facing with Covid.  

"It’s clear urgent action is needed to drive infections down and bring R below 1.  

“As we warned a functioning Test, Trace & Isolate regime led by public health & NHS should have been developed months ago.”

Ministers ‘still haggling over new lockdown system’

Boris Johnson is expected to announce a new three-tier lockdown system for England tomorrow - but negotiations on what measures it will involve are still taking place tonight.

A broad outline has been provided to journalists in advance - but this mainly involves the information the three tiers will be named ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’.

Pubs ‘to close for four weeks’ in northern England

It has also been reported that pubs in the ‘very high’ areas - mostly in the North of England - will be told to close for four weeks from 5pm on Wednesday.

PM faces northern revolt over three-tier lockdown system

Boris Johnson is set to address the nation on Monday in a bid to explain new coronavirus measures that could see pubs and gyms shut down again.

A widely trailed three-tier system will be rolled out across the country, setting the stage for a major tightening of restrictions as the country heads into the winter months.

But the prime minister faces a growing revolt among northern leaders over the levels of financial support offered to businesses and workers forced to stay at home.

Here’s policy reporter Jon Stone with the details:

It’s still not clear exactly which areas of England will be placed in the “very high” tier of lockdown restrictions.

Liverpool is expected to be included in but it appears that Manchester and Newcastle may remain in the “high” (2nd) tier for now.

'Overnight stays banned in Covid hotspots’

Residents will only be able to leave “very high” lockdown areas for work, education or health reasons, according to a report in The Sun.

Anyone visiting the regions with the most severe restrictions will also be banned from staying overnight.

And households will not be able to mix either indoors or outdoors.

‘Last orders’ headline ‘disgraceful’ and ‘arrogant’

The report in the Daily Telegraph which suggests pubs will be ordered to close in the worst-affected areas for four weeks has been criticised by Labour politicians in the north of England.

“This is flippant, arrogant and awful,” says Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said it was “a disgraceful, disrespectful headline when people here are worried about their jobs & businesses.”

Lancashire County Council are also in discussions with the government about more severe restrictions - but are still waiting to hear what exactly each of the three tiers of lockdown will involve.

The details will only be finalised at a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow morning.