Liverpool revellers pack the streets before new restrictions

Revellers packed the streets of Liverpool last night to enjoy the final night before being placed under the strictest Covid restrictions.

Revellers packed the streets of Liverpool last night to enjoy their final night out before being placed under the strictest Covid restrictions under the new three-tier system. Merseyside is marked as very high risk and therefore is under Tier 3 restrictions.

Crowds in Liverpool last night before new restrictions

Masses of people in Liverpool crowded the city centre, some hugged and chanted and some of them even appeared to attack a police car hours before the City was plunged into the most severe restrictions.

The number of Covid cases in Liverpool’s hospital is the third highest in Europe. Liverpool has one of the worst infection rates in the country, with 669.5 cases per 100,000 people. The restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks when they will be up for review by the Government.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “These pictures shame our city, attacking our brave police officers is unacceptable.”

Councillor Paul Brant, cabinet member for adult health and social care at Liverpool City Council said: “Our intensive, critical care beds are filling up very fast. The most recent figures I’ve seen suggest they are over 90 percent full and our acute hospital trusts have occupancy levels of Covid-positive patients of over 250. At the current rate of increase, we would expect Liverpool to surpass the peak of the first wave probably within the next seven to 10 days.”

The tough new rules mean that, from today onwards, people in Merseyside won’t be allowed to mix with other households indoors or in private gardens. Bars will be closed, betting shops, gyms, and casinos will be forced to shut. Pubs which serve “substantial” meals will be able to stay open as they would be deemed to be restaurants.

Greater Manchester and Lancashire are set to join Liverpool as Tier 3 regions. The likelihood of a “circuit breaker” lockdown is increasing with current measures seemingly unable to prevent the spread of Covid.