The Government has today announced that Cumbria will move into Tier 4 of
the new COVID-19 restrictions classification system from midnight tonight
(00:01 on 31 December). The message for Tier 4 areas is ‘Stay at Home’.
Under the new restriction level there must be no
household mixing, aside from support bubbles and just two people meeting in
public outdoor spaces. Education settings will remain open in Tier 4 during
term time. All hospitality must close aside from sales by takeaway,
drive-through or delivery. All personal care businesses, non-essential
retail, indoor leisure and entertainment venues must also close.
Everyone must work from home unless they are
unable to do so. People must not leave a Tier 4 area or stay overnight away
from home and those living in Tier 1 – 3 places should not enter Tier 4
areas.
Cumbrians are being urged not to forget the
basic ways they can help keep themselves and others safe and help avoid
spreading infection – Hands - Face – Space. Please maintain social
distancing, wear a face covering, and wash hands regularly.
The area’s status is expected to be reviewed
after 14 days.
Cumbria’s Director of Public Health Colin Cox,
said:
“The very latest data indicates that the number
of new infections is increasing in all of our six districts, especially in
Eden and Carlisle. The rate of spread as a result of the new strain is
exceptionally quick and this is why decisive and immediate action is
required. As a result of the spike in numbers hospitals across the country
remain under intense pressure and it is simply not sustainable for numbers in
hospital to remain at these levels so it’s vital that action is taken now to
try and reduce the spread.
“The new restrictions will have an impact on
some of the things we have been able to do under the Tier 2 level and I would
encourage people to familiarise themselves with the latest guidance on
gov.uk/coronavirus. Tier 4 is not dissimilar to the first lockdown where
people must stay at home and only travel for work, education or other legally
permitted reasons.
“I would also encourage people to remain
vigilant and follow the rules. Keep doing the simple things that really
do make a difference - maintain social distancing, wear face coverings and
wash your hands.”
Plans are also in place for Cumbria to receive
the new Oxford vaccine in the new year.
Decisions on tiers are made by Government
ministers informed by the following factors:
- Case
detection rate (in all age groups and, in particular, amongst the over
60s);
- How
quickly case rates are rising or falling;
- Positivity
in the general population;
- Pressure
on the NHS – including current and projected (3-4 weeks out) NHS
capacity – including admissions, general/acute/ICU bed occupancy, staff
absences; and
- Local
context and exceptional circumstances such as a local but contained
outbreak.
If these indicators are not improving, an area
may be moved up a tier and if the trajectory improves, the area may move to a
lower tier.
Full details of the new restrictions can be
found athttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know
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