Thursday 26 November 2020
Staffordshire to move to Very High Tier after lockdown
It has been announced today that Staffordshire is to be escalated to the Covid-19 Very High Alert Level when the current national lockdown restrictions end on December 2.
The county, together with Stoke-on-Trent, is one of three West Midlands sub-regions to be placed in the Very High Alert Level. The others are Birmingham and the Black Country and Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said today’s announcement will be a bitter blow for families and businesses who have worked so hard to bring cases down across the county in recent weeks.
Alan said: “We have worked hard to bring cases down and the move to the Very High Alert Level is a big disappointment.
“We understand that the decision is based on a number of factors and not just case rates, and our priority now is to get some of the restrictions lifted as quickly as possible.
“We have shown in the last few weeks that we can work together and bring cases down, and the challenge now is to maintain this when the current national lockdown restrictions end next week.
“This is going to take a collective effort and some personal sacrifice, but sticking to the Very High Tier rules is our best chance of getting back to a lower tier, allowing more businesses to reopen and getting back more of the freedoms we once took for granted.”
Covid seven-day case rates in Staffordshire are currently around 300 per 100,000 population, still above the West Midlands and England averages.
Find out more
What does this mean for me?
The Very High Alert Level will come into force when lockdown ends on December 2.
This means:
- No mixing anywhere indoors with other households, unless part of your support bubble
- Up to six people can meet in public parks, but not in private gardens
- Hospitality such as pubs and restaurants to stay shut, apart for takeaway and drive-through services
- Gyms and non-essential shops to reopen
- Work from home if you can, avoid non-essential travel and no overnight stays outside the area
- Wedding receptions are banned
Full details on what the restrictions mean can be found here.
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