Photoby PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Rising COVID cases have placed Liverpool in tier three
lockdown.
Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the city of Liverpool has been placed by the English government in
Tier Three lockdown as of Monday. This is the highest category of
the newly deployed tier system, and will mean stricter guidelines
for how citizens’ day to day lives.
The Liverpool City region is the only area, so far, placed into
the highest tier. Just looking at Liverpool
FC’s rate of transmission should make it easy to see how
widespread the problem is.
However, fans concerned that this might affect the Merseyside
derby, set to take place this Saturday, will be happy to know that
it seems the game will continue as scheduled. Cool, cool, cool.
The Daily Mail quotes Everton
head of communications, Scott McLeod, saying, “Given the intensive testing program,
the training bubbles and the extensive protocols we have in place –
both at the training ground and on matchdays – at this stage we are
not anticipating any impact on Saturday’s game from any increase in
local restrictions that may be implemented.”
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While it will be good for the people in lockdown to have
something to look forward to, and while I’m never one to turn down
a chance to watch Liverpool beat Everton, this seems ill-advised.
The Merseyside derby is a local rivalry that will likely attract
many fans to gather outside of Goodison Park. The pubs will be
closed and indoor social gatherings will be against the rules, but
outdoor gathering will still be allowed.
But hopefully that doesn’t happen. Hopefully the locals will
stay safely inside their own homes and the match will go off
without a hitch.