City leaders react and give message of support as Liverpool braces for tighter local lockdown

Liverpool’s leaders have sent local businesses a message of support as the city braces for tighter lockdown restrictions tonight saying the new rules will “deal a hammer blow to our economy”.

The new regulations for Liverpool City Region begin at one minute past midnight and here’s what they mean for you:

• No social mixing between people in different households in all settings except outdoor public spaces like parks and outdoor hospitality
• A recommendation that people should not attend professional or amateur sporting events as spectators
• A recommendation that people only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances 
• Guidance against all but essential travel. Essential travel includes going to work or school

Earlier today we put your questions to Liverpool City Council about the new measures and you can read the answers here.

The joint statement from the Metro Mayor, Mayor of Liverpool and Leaders of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Council reads:

“At one minute past midnight tonight, new Covid-19 restrictions will come in to place that will make the already perilous situation for our economy even tougher than it already is.

“As Leaders of the Liverpool City Region, we all understand why further restrictions may be needed to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the communities we represent. But we also know that at the same time they will deal a hammer blow to our economy and in particular to our vital hospitality and leisure sector, on which over 50,000 jobs depend across our region.

“This afternoon, we want to send a message to those businesses that we understand the pain you are going through, your fight to survive and that we stand with you.

“We have made it clear to the Government that with new restrictions must come a comprehensive package of financial support for our economy and that this is particularly urgent for businesses in your sector, many of which have already reached breaking point.

“We pledge to you that we are doing everything we can to convince the Government to help.

“But we know that this is not enough and that words will not help you pay your staff, your rent or your suppliers.

“And, as elected leaders, we are collectively committed to Build Back Better from Covid-19. But we know that once a business is gone it is gone and that if we do not act now to protect our economy from these new restrictions, we risk having nothing to build back from.

“So, our teams are now working at full-tilt, in partnership across the Combined Authority and our six Local Authorities, to identify and re-purpose tens-of-millions of pounds in to a package of emergency interim financial support.

“The details of this are currently being worked through and whilst we know we can’t provide funding for every single business across the Liverpool City Region, we aim to support as many as practicably possible with the funding we have.

“We have taken this extremely difficult decision with the aim of providing last resort, stop-gap funding to keep viable businesses going in the short-term, while we continue to lobby the Government to invest in our economic survival and our future recovery.

“We hope to be able to announce the details of the fund early next week and urge those businesses who are teetering on the edge to hold fire on any immediate decisions until we have further details on what financial support we are able to offer.”