TOUGHER LOCKDOWN RULES ‘HIGHLY LIKELY’
WARNING FROM HULL HEALTH CHIEF
HULL is “highly likely” to face tougher lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks, the city’s public health chief has warned.
Both Hull and the East Riding have been placed on the lowest tier in the Government’s new lockdown system to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to MPS in Parliament on Monday when he introduced a three-tier system of local Covid alert levels in England.
He confirmed the levels will be set at medium, high, and very high and says this new system will be simpler and standardised
All of East Yorkshire is in the “medium” alert level, which will cover most of the country and consists of the current national measures, which came into force on September 25.
This includes the Rule of Six, and the closure of pubs and restaurants at 10pm.
While Hull City Council’s director of public health Julia Weldon correctly predicted the city would be placed in the lowest tier, she has painted a gloomier picture further ahead.
She said: “While Hull and our neighbours are currently rated as ‘medium’ risk, I urge all of you not underestimate the seriousness of our situation.
“Our infection rates are rising exponentially and, as in the initial wave of the virus, we are behind the curve of other areas.
“We are seeing transmission in our communities and homes, and managing outbreaks across a range of settings, including care homes, businesses and education.
“It is very likely we will be placed in the high risk category in the coming weeks, and we should all take the opportunity now to understand what this means and put in place any necessary plans to manage increased restrictions.”
Mrs Weldon has praised people in the city for their attempts to help prevent the virus spreading and has urged people to continue to take the necessary steps.
She said: “I know how hard all of you have tried and continue to try to contain the virus and minimise spread, and it is absolutely vital that you continue to do so.
“Anyone can catch it and anyone can spread it. You may be asymptomatic or you could be very poorly. Each of those scenarios carries its own risk.
“We must all take care of each other by sticking to the guidance; wear a face covering when required, observe social distancing, wash hands often for at least 20 seconds.
“Take notice of coronavirus symptoms and any changes to these, particularly a change in local alert level. Also take action by isolating and immediately organising a test if symptomatic and isolating if advised to do so.”
The “high” alert level, which both Hull and the East Riding could soon find themselves in, has been introduced for many of the places already subject to lockdown restrictions, but they will now be consistent across the country.
This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors. The Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.
The “very high” alert level will apply where transmission rates are causing the greatest concern, based on an assessment of all the available data and the local situation.
This includes higher cases among older and more at-risk age groups, as well as the growth rate and hospital admissions.
In these areas, the Government will set a baseline of prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens, with the Rule of Six allowed in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
People will be advised not to travel in and out of these areas. Merseyside is one of the areas which has been placed in Tier Three.
The Government is working with local leaders in Tier Three regions on how individual areas should go beyond these measures, which may include the closure of gyms, casinos, and leisure centres.
Non-essential retail, schools and universities will remain open in all levels.