“In some parts of the country, the number of cases are rising very fast and we are taking that very seriously." Behind the national numbers lurk huge regional variations, which has led to calls for more concerted local actions. In many areas of northern England, it's not clear the local restrictions have worked — in some areas, the number of new infections is 10 times higher than when the localized virus restrictions were announced. Unions are demanding that the government accompanies any lockdown changes with a financial support package to prevent mass unemployment. A national program that has helped keep a lid on unemployment is due to halt at the end of October.

Source: ABC News October 08, 2020 08:01 UTC