Merseyside leaders 'favour circuit breaker lockdown'

Merseyside is already subject to extra Coronavirus measures

Merseyside leaders would favour a "circuit breaker" lockdown if companies are provided with financial support, Knowsley's council leader has said.

Graham Morgan said a two-week mini lockdown "might disrupt the spread of the virus" to help regain control.

Merseyside has recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, according to the latest Public Health England data.

Mr Morgan said council leaders agreed in principle to the "circuit breaker" to halt the spread of the virus.

It follows a meeting with the government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty on Monday to discuss the next steps.

Mr Morgan told the BBC's North West Tonight that leaders in Merseyside would back the plans if businesses forced to close during this period received a financial aid package.

"Nobody wants to go back to a long-term lockdown like earlier this year, so the 'circuit breaker' option of a short lockdown, with clear rules, might disrupt the spread of the virus enough to help us regain some control," said Mr Morgan

'Out of control'

Knowsley and Liverpool are among the areas with the highest infection rates in England.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has warned that the infection rate is a "massive concern", saying Covid is "out of control" across the city.

Mr Anderson said imposing more restrictions and protecting the economy was "a difficult conundrum".

Merseyside is already subject to extra measures, which include a ban on households from meeting each other at home or in private gardens.

Officials are considering whether to impose restrictions in Merseyside similar to those imposed in the north-east of England, BBC health editor Hugh Pym has said.

This includes a ban on mixing between households in any indoor setting.