HALLOWEEN LOCKDOWN

• TIER 2 RESTRICTIONS IN EAST YORKSHIRE FROM TOMORROW • ‘SEX BAN’ FOR SOME COUPLES • RULE OF SIX APPLIES OUTDOORS • AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL

HULL and the East Riding will move into the high-risk coronavirus alert level Tier 2 from tomorrow, it has been confirmed.

New restrictions will apply from 12.01am on Saturday in both council areas.

It comes after agreement was reached between council leaders, partner organisations in the local health sector and the Government.

Hull is currently the only major city in the North of England to be in Tier 1, the lowest-risk category of the threetier regional system introduced by the government on October 12.

The change means that in all parts of Hull and East Riding, the following measures will be in place:

People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

People must not meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space.

People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

These measures will be reviewed every 14 days to consider whether they are still appropriate.

In Kingston-upon-hull weekly case rates stand at 248 people per 100,000.

This increases to 332 per 100,000 in those aged 17-21 and is 259 per 100,000 in the over-60s.

Meanwhile, in the East Riding weekly case rates stand at 239 people per 100,000. This increases to 463 per 100,000 in those aged 17-21 and is 134 per 100,000 in the over-60s.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection.

“A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage. I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country. We will beat this virus, but we must stick together as we enter the winter months.”

Public health officials at Hull and East Riding have been anticipating a move into Tier 2 for some time as a result of steadily rising infection rates and Covid-related hospital admission in both areas.

As a result, detailed planning has been going on behind the scenes for several days.

Earlier this week, councillors at both authorities received similar briefings on the expected move into Tier 2.

The Hull briefing report said: “Please understand that this is not a decision that will be made lightly.

“The data indicates that without significant action, rates in our city will continue to climb, putting all of us, our loved ones and particularly the more vulnerable among us at risk.

“You will be aware that many other areas have already entered Tier 2 and 3, and we understood from the outset that our own move was likely.

“You should also be aware that if necessary, we could also move to Tier 3, the highest level of restrictions, under which some businesses would be subject to mandatory closure.”