The PA news agency understands the West Midlands, including Birmingham, could move to Tier 3 restrictions within days, unless infection rates drop significantly.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and the leaders of the seven metropolitan councils had been discussing the prospect of tougher Tier 3 measures ahead of a gold command meeting with Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Wednesday.
Following the meeting, local authority sources said it was “pretty unlikely” infection rates would come down enough in the next few days, and that Tier 3 would be imposed “by the end of next week or the start of the following week”.
– Leaders in the North East expected to meet and discuss Tier 3
Political leaders in the North East are scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss whether the region should be placed in Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.
They have previously stated their opposition to the idea, saying coronavirus cases had stabilised and the NHS locally could cope.
