(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)LONDON – The British government on Wednesday put another 1.4 million people into England’s tightest coronavirus restrictions, but faced growing criticism that its piecemeal approach to curbing the outbreak is sowing division and confusion.
Jarvis said local authorities had struck a deal with the British government on financial support to accompany the area measures.
Instead, it has adopted a three-tier system for England, with areas classed as medium, high or very high virus risk.
The measures have caused tension between Johnson’s Conservative government and local authorities in northern England, which has the country’s highest infection rates.
Wednesday’s announcement about South Yorkshire means 7.3 million people, or 13% of England’s population, have been placed under the toughest restrictions — all of them in the north.