Higher tier ‘Difficult start to the year’ as restrictions to tighten
GLOUCESTERSHIRE has been placed under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions after the Government’s announcement yesterday.
The county was initially placed in Tier 3 on Boxing Day, but now moves up to the highest tier of restrictions.
It will now remain in Tier 4 until at least the next review.
Gloucestershire County Council leader Councillor Mark Hawthorne, said: “Gloucestershire has been in Tier 3 less than a week, and I’m sorry we’ve not had more time to see if that worked.
“We’ve seen no indication locally of shops or gyms causing outbreaks – this will be a difficult start to the year for them. The county council stands ready to support our NHS colleagues both to meet their current challenges, and, most importantly, to roll out the vaccine as quickly as possible.”
It means there will be changes for the people of Gloucestershire, who will now be under the toughest restrictions.
In addition to the restrictions already in place under Tier 3, there will be further measures in the new tier.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues must now close.
There will also be a “stay at home” message for residents.
People will still be allowed to travel if they cannot work from home. There will also be exemptions for those who need to travel for childcare or education.
Households cannot mix in Tier 4, but one person from a household can meet one from another household in a public space. Support and childcare bubbles remain exempt.
People in Tier 4 areas must not stay overnight away from home, and may not travel abroad.
Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie has hit out at “anti-vaxxers” during a statement in the House of Commons.
Speaking after the announcement, Ms Baillie said that many Gloucestershire businesses “are gutted to be placed in Tier 4” and that it makes the “rollout of the vaccine even more important”.
But Ms Baillie also raised concerns about the “worrying increase” of Covid information from unofficial sources and the rise in the anti-vaccine movement. She said: “There is a worrying increase of anti-vax information in Stroud, which is causing a lot of distress and upset for local people.
“Will the Secretary of State assist me to reassure Stroud about the vaccines and encourage people not to share Covid information from unofficial sources to stop this dangerous, damaging and disrespectful behaviour?”
The MP for Stroud was also keen to condemn the behaviour of individuals who filmed a video at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and posted it online claiming the hospital was empty.
Speaking in the Commons she said: “It’s appalling that our Gloucestershire Hospital Trust had to spend their precious time during this pandemic defending themselves against films on social media that were wrongly claiming the hospital was empty.”
In reply to Ms Baillie, Health Secretary Matt Hancock emphasised the need for “proper authorised information about these vaccines which save lives”.
He also paid tribute to all those who work in hospitals in Gloucestershire.
“It’s hard work at the moment in the NHS. Rates of Covid in Gloucestershire over the last few weeks have shot up and is the reason we’ve had to take action on restrictions,” he added.