Yorkshire’s Tiers and the lessons from Liverpool – The Yorkshire Post says

This much is certain after a pioneering programme in Liverpool cut Covid cases by two-thirds – and in time for that city to see some of its more draconian restrictions lifted when Health Secretary Matt Hancock set out the latest lockdown arrangements in Parliament.

Now the challenge is developing a more nuanced approach, which would see the most vulnerable undergoing more regular testing, so it can be introduced quickly in all those areas facing Tier 3 sanctions – and that includes the whole of this county with the exceptions of York and North Yorkshire.

It won’t be easy. Those most at risk of Covid can be reluctant to be tested because of the hardship they will suffer if they have to self-isolate – there clearly needs to be more incentives – and the military, and others, not having sufficient capacity while they prepare for the vaccine green light.

That said, Mr Hancock stated in Parliament that he wants to replicate the Liverpool approach elsewhere and the detail is awaited with interest. In the meantime, Ministers should be reviewing the lockdown rules weekly, not fortnightly, and there’s a strong case to be made for the new criteria being applied to local authority areas rather than city-regions or entire counties.

This would give encouragement to areas where the infection areas have fallen – and also those parts of North Yorkshire that find themselves in Tier 2 because of the density of outbreaks at the other end of England’s largest county. As such, it is hoped Mr Hancock accepts this advice in the constructive spirit intended and responds accordingly.

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