TIER 2 LOOMS
REGION FACING TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS
TALKS were reportedly ongoing between councillors and the Government yesterday about putting Hull and the East Riding into the high-risk Tier 2 category of the coronavirus alert system.
It comes as cases continue to rise across the region.
A further 299 positive tests were confirmed yesterday and another 352 cases just 24 hours earlier.
An announcement could be made today as councils continue discussions with the Government and give formal confirmation.
It is expected that both Hull and the East Riding will move to Tier 2 from midnight on Saturday, the Mail understands.
The region has been slowly moving towards Tier 2 status for some time.
Cases have increased recently and the number of deaths have begun to rise once again.
In Hull, the number of new cases yesterday increased by 142.
The city’s total is now at 3,574 along with an infection rate of 1,375.8 per 100,000 of the population since the pandemic began.
There were also 157 cases confirmed in the East Riding. There are now 4,529 cases in the area and the infection rate has increased to 1,327.5.
Over the past seven days, there have been 856 new coronavirus cases in East Riding and a further 696 in Hull.
There were no further deaths recorded yesterday, however, eight have been announced in the previous five days.
The number of hospital deaths in Hull and the East Riding is 230.
Moving into Tier 2 will see more restrictions placed on us, but it will still be a long way short of the disabling effect of the full, national lockdown.
THE NEW RESTRICTIONS WILL INVOLVE:
■ Areas categorised as high risk have restrictions on household mixing indoors, while the rule of six continues to apply outdoors.
■ People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.
■ Up to 15 guests are allowed at weddings and up to 30 people allowed at funerals, with 15 allowed at receptions and wakes.
■ Shops, gyms, all education settings and places of worship can remain open, with overnight stays permitted.
■ Travel advice for those living in Tier 2 areas is to reduce the number of journeys they take where possible and avoid travel into very high Tier 3 areas.
Number 10 confirmed that, under Tier 2 and Tier 3 rules on household mixing, people can still meet up for work meetings indoors under certain circumstances.
There is also suggestions that a fourth Tier could be introduced, meaning restaurants and non-essential retail such as clothes shops could be forced to close.
The current Tier system does not allow for the closure of schools, so “local circuit breaker” lockdowns are also reportedly being considered for areas where Tier 3 restrictions have failed to bring the virus under control.
A decision could be made by mid-november, when there will be enough data to assess how effective the three tier system has been.
There is some relief though. Moving into Tier 2 will not necessarily have an effect on pubs, bars and restaurants.
They can still operate until 10pm and many of the region’s shops, gyms, hair salons and other businesses should be able to operate as usual.
Extra government funding will also be made available for moving into tier 2. Businesses will be eligible to monthly grants of £2,100 and an increased contribution to workers’ wages under the job support scheme.