Tier 3 areas need more support to prevent North-South divide hardening: The Yorkshire Post says

But given that three of Yorkshire’s four regions will be placed into Tier 3 later this week, this report further highlights the urgent need for more Government support for the areas hit hardest in all senses by Covid. South Yorkshire was already in Tier 3 when the second lockdown began while much of West Yorkshire has faced months of additional restrictions compared to other areas.

There are no simple choices here with lives at stake and the Government can point to research that coronavirus cases have dropped by 30 per cent following the introduction of lockdown as a way of showing that restrictions do have a clear impact on infection rates.

Equally, with multiple vaccines now on the horizon the case for taking tough action now to slow the spread in the coming weeks and months has been considerably strengthened.

However, that will come as little comfort to the many businesses facing closure and the workers on the brink of losing their jobs. Those in the hospitality industry are being particularly hard-hit - even in Tier 2 the extent of restrictions on going for a drink or a meal make doing business extremely hard at what is often the busiest and most lucrative time of year.

While the tier system is supposed to be a short-term measure, without extra support to businesses under the harshest restrictions its long-term impact is likely to further harden a North-South divide that is being highlighted more and more over the course of this crisis.

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