Leaders accept Tier 3 ruling
NORTH East leaders say they accept the need for the region to stay under the toughest level of local lockdown restrictions.
Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed on Thursday morning that Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, and all of Teesside will be kept under Tier 3 rules.
Despite a fall in cases in most parts of the region over recent weeks, the government has decided not to relax the measures here prior to the five-day Christmas bubble period.
Local council leaders have not opposed the decision, which had been widely expected, but say they need “greater understanding” of how the North East can exit Tier 3 in the new year and extra support for hospitality venues that are still being forced to shut.
A statement from the LA7 group of councils, the North of Tyne mayor, and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said: “Today the government has made the decision to keep the North East under the very high Tier 3 restrictions.
“While we accept this decision on public health grounds, we still need a greater understanding of how moving out of Tier 3 will be determined in the new year.
“We will continue to press government for fair decisions and the right level of economic support – especially for the hospitality sector which has been so heavily impacted by the restrictions.
“We will also work with ministers on how best to deploy targeted community testing to open up our economy, while seeking localisation of the national test and trace programme.
“As leaders, we are incredibly proud of and grateful to the people of the North East for their efforts in following the rules, laws and guidance throughout the pandemic.
“Their efforts have seen infection rates come down but sadly the virus continues to be a potent threat, putting pressure on NHS services, and we need to keep doing our bit to protect the most vulnerable in society.”
The statement was issued by council leaders Simon Henig, Martin Gannon, Nick Forbes, Norma Redfearn, Glen Sanderson, Tracey Dixon, and Graeme Miller, plus mayor Jamie Driscoll and PCC Kim McGuinness.
According to Newcastle City Council data, the North East’s average infection rate is currently 161 new weekly cases per 100,000 people - lower than the England average of 203.
On the day that the North East was first placed into Tier 3, November 26, the region’s infection rate was 254 per 100,000.
A drop down to Tier 2 would have allowed restaurants to open again, as well as pubs and bars that could offer a ‘substantial meal’, and would have meant that people could socialise in private gardens in groups of up to six.
The continuation of Tier 3 also means that football fans will still not be allowed back into stadiums and that entertainment venues like theatres and cinemas must also stay shut.
Tier 3 rules will remain in place until the Christmas bubble period begins on December 23.
The tier system will then return on December 28, once the five-day Christmas relaxation ends.
The leaders’ statement also urged people to be cautious when mixing with their families over Christmas.
They said: “The Pfizer/Biontech vaccine is being rolled out into communities and this week we have seen some of our residents, aged over 80, invited to be vaccinated in GP surgeries, which is tremendous progress.
“But this will be a long process and we all need to be patient. That is why we are asking everyone to carefully consider their plans and actions over the festive period. Just because the law says we can all meet three households over five days, doesn’t mean we should choose to do so.
“Increases in social contact and household mixing over Christmas could see infections rise steeply again in the New Year so we must act responsibly to suppress the virus.
“Of course, we understand people wanting to see each other but we also want families to be able to see each other and celebrate future Christmases, birthdays and family events.
“For the sake of yourselves, your loved ones and the wider community please continue to follow all the guidance. Hands. Face. Space. And book a test if you have symptoms.
“Once again, thank you for all your efforts. Have a safe Christmas.”