Could Liverpool be heading for a Covid-19 'circuit-breaker' lockdown?
Over the last six months there have been numerous methods used to tackle coronavirus, including the national and local lockdowns, but Liverpool could be the first to use a “circuit breaker” to stop the spread of the virus.
The city could face tougher restrictions in the coming days, with a final decision on whether Liverpool needs action similar to that to the north-east to be taken on Wednesday.
The city recorded 6,198 cases on Wednesday, an increase of 274 new infections in a 24-hour period.
The latest figures showed there had been a 1,323 new cases record in Liverpool over a seven-day period, compared to 94 per week reported on September 1.
A circuit-breaker lockdown would result in Liverpool having a two-week period of severe restrictions, including a blanket ban on social meetings and the closure of the hospitality sector.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson told the Daily Telegraph: "For me, it is only a matter of time because the virus isn't able to be controlled in the city with the restrictions we have now.
"We need a circuit breaker or stricter lockdown to try to stop the virus spreading.
"If we can have the severest measures of lockdown now, we may arrest the increase and start to bring it down by the end of October, so that in the lead up to Christmas we can get some normality."