Stay safe plea as Covid-19 Tier 3 restrictions introduced

Wolverhampton has today (Wednesday 2 December) moved into Tier 3 restrictions after the national Covid-19 lockdown came to an end at midnight.

It places the city on Very High Alert and means:

• people cannot meet socially with anybody they either don't live with or are in a bubble with, indoors, in a private garden or in most outdoor places
• everyone who can work from home should do so
• hospitality settings like bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must remain closed except for takeaway, drive-through or delivery services
• indoor entertainment and tourist venues must remain closed, as must hotels, B&Bs and guest houses, with limited exemptions
• spectators are unable to attend sporting events
• people should avoid travelling outside of the area other than where necessary (for instance, for work or education purposes) and avoid public transport at busy times
• people can meet others in outdoor places such as parks, the countryside or public gardens, but only if they do so in a group of six or less and practice social distancing (the 'rule of six').

Schools, colleges and universities remain open; non-essential retailers and personal care services like hairdressers and beauty parlours can reopen, as can gyms, leisure centres and places of worship with certain restrictions in place. Care homes must ensure Covid-secure arrangements are in place to enable visiting.

Support bubbles have been expanded. People can now form a bubble with another household in more circumstances, including if they are the only adult, if they have a child under 12 months or if they live with a disabled child under the age of five who needs continuous care.

At all times, people should continue to follow the Hands, Face, Space guidance – wash their hands regularly, wear a face covering where required and stay 2m apart (1m+ where this isn't possible) from anyone who isn't a member of their household or bubble – and get a Covid-19 test if they have symptoms or are asked to do so.

For full details of the Tier 3 measures, including the answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert. Specific rules around household mixing and travel over Christmas will be in place between 23 and 27 December.

Latest data shows there were 249.83 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 29 November. That means 657 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be considerably higher.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "Covid-19 infection rates have started to come down – but they remain high. Despite everyone’s efforts to stop the spread of the virus, hundreds of people in Wolverhampton are catching Covid-19 each week and, tragically, it continues to claim lives.

“With the prospect of a vaccine on the horizon and the roll out of rapid testing happening in the very near future, we can now see a glimmer of hope ahead. But I can’t stress enough that we’re still some way off being able to return to normality. We need to do everything we can to keep ourselves and each other safe over Christmas and the winter.

“That means continuing to be alert, looking out for vulnerable relatives and doing our best to continue to drive the rates down. People must remember ‘Hands, Space, Face’ and get tested if they have any symptoms.

“Ultimately, the introduction of Tier 3 restrictions is the Government’s decision which we have to abide by. We have a proud tradition of looking after our own here in Wolverhampton, and I am confident we will continue to pull together and do everything we can to keep each other safe.”

John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, added: "We've been living with this terrible virus for nine months now. Residents have made huge sacrifices in that time and I thank every one of them for their efforts.

“We are hopeful that the impact of the lockdown, the wider roll-out of lateral flow testing and the national vaccination programme will drive Covid-19 rates in our city down further, and that we can look forward to brighter days.

"But we are not there yet. Covid-19 remains a real and present danger and we cannot, even for one second, let down our guard. Everyone has a pivotal part to play so please continue to do all you can follow the Tier 3 guidance, control the virus and save lives."

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include a fever, a new, continuous cough and loss or change to a person’s sense of taste and smell. To book a test, visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119. People can get tested within eight days of developing symptoms.