Council boss outlines how to get out of measures

COUNCIL bosses have outlined how they plan to move Staffordshire out of Tier 3 restrictions.

Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council, says yesterday’s announcement will be a bitter blow for families and businesses. However, he praised them for their hard work in bringing the number of new cases down across the county in recent weeks.

Councillor White 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.”

Also key in bringing infection rates down will be the rapid Covid testing project for which the county has been selected.

Staffordshire is one of 66 county or city authorities to take part in the roll-out of new Covid tests, which return results within hours, for people without symptoms. The plan is to test up to 10 per cent of the population every week.

Dr Richard Harling, director of health and care, said: “Identifying more people who have the virus so they can self-isolate will help us to reduce the spread of infection this winter.

“So if you have any symptoms, or are asked to get tested even though you have no symptoms, it is hugely important that you do so.

“We all need to also remember the basics of washing our hands regularly, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance.

“These are really simple steps, which together can make the biggest difference.”

Before the second lockdown, Staffordshire has only just been moved from Tier One to Tier Two.

Covid seven-day infection rates in Staffordshire are currently around 300 per 100,000 population, meaning they are still above the West Midlands and England averages.