Boris Johnson defends England's tier-based lockdown in letter to rebel Conservative Party colleagues
FirstpostMost of England’s population will fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends on 2 December. Around 32 million people, including in London, will fall into Tier 2 London: Prime minister Boris Johnson has urged his Conservative Party lawmakers to back the government’s tier-based COVID-19 lockdown in a Parliament vote in a letter stressing that there “a sunset” clause – or expiry date – of 3 February on the latest restrictions. Most of England’s population is set to fall under the two toughest tiers when the second national lockdown ends on 2 December. Around 32 million people – covering 57.3 percent of England and including London – will fall into Tier 2 or high alert level which means the rule of six applies with up to six members of different households allowed to meet outdoors. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said MPs needed to “take responsibility for difficult decisions” because there is a risk of the State-funded National Health Service being overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases over the winter months.