Pubs ‘thrown under the bus’ as COVID tier system returns

Royal Borough: ‘Hovering’ between COVID restriction

The Royal Borough's health chief says the council cannot say with certainty what ‘COVID tier’ it will be in come today (Thursday) – but did indicate the likelihood of ‘hovering’ around the Tier 1 and 2 mark.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England would not be extending the lockdown after December 2 and will instead be moving to a tougher three-tier system.

Areas will not know which tier they are in until the Government confirms this at some stage today, with a range of factors contributing to a location’s classification. These include the ‘R’ infection rate in the region and pressure on NHS services.

Speaking to the Advertiser on Tuesday, Cllr Stuart Carroll (Con, Boyn Hill), said the borough’s tier classification is something it is ‘still looking at very closely’.

“Thursday is an important date in terms of the whole country by area,” he said.

“Our data has been indicating that we have been hovering around Tier 1, Tier 2.”

The borough’s rate per 100,000 of the population stands at 161.8, and in the seven days from November 17 to 23, a total of 215 people tested positive for COVID-19.

In Tier 1, people can meet indoors and outdoors - following the rule of six - while pubs and restaurants will be open for table service, shutting at 11pm (last orders 10pm).

But in Tier 2, people cannot mix households indoors and pubs can only operate if serving a ‘substantial meal’.

Cllr Carroll said it is unlikely that the borough’s data would place it in Tier 3, where pubs and restaurants would be closed except for takeaways and people will not be allowed to mix indoors, or in most outdoor scenarios.

“The implications between tiers are quite significant, particularly for different types of businesses,” Cllr Carroll said.

“We are looking at our data and liaising with Government colleagues to ensure these data are correct. We will have a clearer picture come Thursday.

“That is something we are still looking at very closely. It is difficult to say with any great certainty.”

He added: “Based on the current trend, it is unlikely we would be moving into Tier 3, but you can’t rule anything out until you have the data confirmed.”

Cllr Carroll also said he feels ‘sympathy’ for some businesses stuck in limbo as they wait for news on how they can operate.

He added he and council leader Cllr Andrew Johnson will be lobbying Government colleagues for more financial support for stricken firms.

“We need to do what is right by public health, but also what is right by local businesses and the economy,” he said.

“The best way people can help local businesses is to support them when they are open. We have all got a role to play there.

“But also adhering to the guidance - the more we stop the spread the less need we are going to have to be in higher tiers of classification.

“I understand the anxiety and concern. We as a council will continue to stand right behind businesses.”

See page 5 for more on the three-tier impact on businesses in Maidenhead.