Calls for return to Tier 2 grow as area almost free of Covid
PEOPLE in a Derbyshire town say they should return to Tier 2 restrictions after part of it was declared as being almost free of coronavirus.
The south side of Long Eaton recorded fewer than three infections in the seven-day window up to November 28. According to the Government data, this means cases in the area are, by definition, “suppressed”.
After hearing the news, people in the area said they were being vigilant in adhering to public health safety guidance.
Claire Mason, 40, a server at Delilicious, in Station Road, said: “It did not come as a surprise, people are being very careful around here. We do not have any issues with anyone. They are all following the guidelines, they appear to be. If you do as you are told, the results follow. Since the Government introduced it, as a rule. I don’t think I have had to get anyone to put a mask on.”
The area of the town where the low case rate applies includes Nottingham Road, Pasture Lane, Trent Lane and Lock Lane.
According to daily Public Health England data up to Thursday, 127 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the Erewash borough in the previous seven days. It also had a coronavirus rate of 110.1 per 100,000 people. This compared to 452 cases and a rate of 175.7 recorded in the same period in the city boundary of Derby and 528 infections and a rate of 158.6 in Nottingham.
Before the country entered into the recent lockdown, Erewash was placed into Tier 2 restrictions, bringing the borough in line with Nottinghamshire, where the tighter rules already applied.
Ms Mason said: “If they were to reduce us to Tier 2 it would be a bit of a thank-you for doing it [bringing the number of cases down]. You can go for a meal. The restrictions in Tier 2 are still quite high but you are getting a little bit back for bringing it down.”
Freda Gidlow, 65, of Cornwall
Drive, Long Eaton, said the figures came as a surprise because there had been “a lot of cases” in Erewash.
The payroll manager said: “I would expect more around here. They just are being careful and sticking to the rules. I think it’s very important if you want to get back to a normal life. If it’s not as bad here then maybe it should be Tier 2.”
Mark Innes, 57, of Carrfield Avenue, Long Eaton, said the situation in Erewash should be looked at.
He said: “You have to take into account the whole or Erewash. At some point we will come out of Tier 3 and go into Tier 2 but then the Government have once again changed the rules.
“There are some nice pubs in Long Eaton. Because they are not serving meals, one or two of them, then it means they can’t open.
“My experience of these pubs is that they are incredibly good and strict about the social distancing and mask-wearing and it just seems wrong. The point is that you are going to be at a lot less risk of catching the virus if in a well-organised pub like these than in your sitting room when you have friends around.”
Maggie Throup, Conservative MP for Erewash, said: “It is really pleasing to see the rates of Covid-19 falling across Erewash and in particular in the southern part of Long Eaton, Draycott and Breaston.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank every resident for sticking to the regulations and so keeping t themselves and others safe.
“The incidence is just one factor when determining which tier an area is placed in.
“Other O factors include the numb ber of patients in our local hospitals with Covid and the prevalence in the olde older population. Sadly, both these me metrics are still too high to relax re restrictions at this stage.
“However, the tiers an area is in will be looked at again on December 16 and will continue to be kept under constant review.
“I accept that a persuasive case c can be made in some instances fo for an exemption or easing of the reg regulations, but to unpick one thing may well compromise the effectivenes ness of the package as a whole.
“W “Whilst nobody, not least the Governm ernment, wants us to be in this position any longer than is necessary, the only way to guarantee that Erewash moves down the tiering system is to continue to follow the rules to protect each other and our NHS through these crucial winter months.”