New restrictions on coronavirus for Scotland to be announced on Wednesday
- but not another total blockade, Nicola Sturgeon said
London has around 60 cases per week of Covid-19 per 100,000 residents, but the rate is higher in some areas. Redbridge has the highest rate, 96, followed by the Hackney area and City of London with 92.5. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is among the ministers opposed to the national closure of pubs and restaurants. Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon became the first regional leader to admit that tougher restrictions were necessary.
Speaking in a personal capacity, the government's Sage (Scientific Advice Group for Emergencies) committee member said a circuit breaker - a temporary social blockade that kept schools and workplaces open - could have been a "really good idea" if imposed weeks ago.
Senior parliamentarians say there is a clear division in the Cabinet between ministers who take a "security first" approach, led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and occasionally supported by Michael Gove, and those who believe the strategy should be "living with the virus", led by Mr Sunak and supported by Business Secretary Alok Sharma.
Note: Schools will only close on the October holiday.
