Health Secretary makes announcement

DERBY and Derbyshire are staying in the most extreme Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions until at least December 30.

In an announcement in the House of Commons yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that the city and county would remain in Tier 3 and not drop to Tier 2.

This follows calls from both the city and county’s public health directors to keep the area in Tier 3 until into January due to “worrying” rising infection rates, including in the over 60s, and pressure on local NHS services.

Derbyshire MPs had been calling for at least parts of the county to be dropped into Tier 2 to give businesses a chance of surviving the festive season – typically when many see a surge in custom.

It also means households still cannot meet people from other households indoors and in most outdoor places, except for public places such as parks and retaining the rule of six. Mr Hancock said yesterday: “This is a moment when we act with caution. I know that Tier 3 measures are tough, but the best way for everyone to get it out of them is to do everything then can, not just to follow the rules.

“In most places we are not quite there yet and the pressures there remains.

The next review of the tiered restrictions will come between Christmas and New Year, on Wednesday, December 30.

Between now and then restrictions will ease from December 23-27 for exclusive Christmas bubbles between up to three households.