Boris Johnson Warns England Not to Relax After Virus Lockdown Ends

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of “long months ahead” in the fight against coronavirus, as his government put most of England into the highest two tiers of new restrictions when a lockdown lifts next week.

London will be placed in tier 2, avoiding the toughest rules from Dec. 2 and allowing pubs, restaurants and bars to open -- but restricting alcohol to being served as part of a meal. Cities including Birmingham and Manchester were placed in the toughest tier 3, in which pubs and restaurants must close except for takeaway. Households will not be allowed to mix indoors in either tier.

“What we want to avoid is relaxing now too much, you know, taking our foot off the throat of the beast now,” Johnson said in a televised press conference Thursday. “There is a substantial relaxation across all tiers but we’re not abandoning the fight yet, of course not, because we still, as I say, have long months ahead.”

The regional three-tier system is tougher than before England entered a four-week partial lockdown this month. Ministers want to make sure they have some control of the virus’s spread before people are allowed a further five-day relaxation of the rules during the Christmas holidays.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Friday there’s a chance regions could move up or down the tiers on Dec. 16, when the categorizations will be reviewed based on the latest data. Speaking on BBC radio, he urged people to “abide by the rules and work hard at it” if they want fewer restrictions.

Johnson’s scientific advisers warned people not to take risks and to avoid endangering their elderly relatives over Christmas.

“Would I encourage someone to hug and kiss their elderly relatives? No, I would not,” England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said at the press conference. Don’t hug a relative “if you want them to survive to be hugged again,” he warned.

Johnson’s government is trying to balance the risks of the virus again getting out of control with the need to support an economy going through its worst slump in 300 years. Virus cases have surged across the U.K. in the fall, and the prime minister’s scientific advisers are trying to chart a course that prevents the state-run National Health Service from being overwhelmed.

But the premier also faces a rebellion from members of his Conservative Party angry about the restrictions imposed on their districts. Influential Tory MP Graham Brady said he will oppose the new measures when they are put to a vote in Parliament next week.

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