(Reuters) – Mayors in the UK will be given more control over a coronavirus test-and-trace system as the national government attempts to secure their backing for tough new lockdown rules that are due on Monday, The Sunday Times newspaper reported.
The mayors will be able to deploy new local volunteers to knock on doors and ask people to self-isolate, the newspaper said, adding that the plan’s details were discussed on Saturday between Downing Street and the mayors.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make a statement to parliament on Monday about potential new lockdown restrictions, after lawmakers were handed more say over COVID-19 rules.
Leaders of major cities in northern England on Saturday asked for more generous economic support for workers and businesses facing local lockdowns, saying the government’s current proposals would wreak economic hardship on their citizens.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
