London should look to the North as example of how to exit Tier 3 restrictions, Chris Whitty says

England’s Chief Medical Officer has urged those about to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions to take inspiration from places in the North where coronavirus rates have come down.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced today that London and areas of Essex and Hertfordshire would be placed under the toughest restrictions from Wednesday.

The decision to move into stricter measures was brought forward due to “very sharp, exponential rises” in cases.

It will mean the hospitality sector must close except for takeaways, and groups of six can only meet in outdoor public spaces.

And Mr Hancock said the Government would not be afraid to go further if rates did not drop, casting into doubt arrangements for households to form bubbles over Christmas.

Professor Chris Whitty, speaking at a Downing Street press conference, said: “Think of what was achieved in the North of the country and in the Midlands when people really did decide to pull things down in the equivalent of Tier 3.”