Tamworth to move into High Alert (Tier 2) along with the rest of Staffordshire

It has been announced that Staffordshire, including Tamworth, is to move into the Government’s Tier 2 High Alert for Covid-19 from 00:01 on Saturday, October 31.

This means it will be illegal for people to meet socially indoors with another household, unless part of a ‘support bubble’. The new rules apply in both homes and public settings such as pubs and restaurants.

High Alert status will be reviewed in 14 days.

Cllr Daniel Cook, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “While it’s disappointing that Tamworth residents will be subject to further restrictions, the sad fact remains that positive Covid-19 cases are rising sharply in the town and we need to act now if we are to get this under control and prevent more deaths.

“The Tier 2 restrictions mean that we can no longer meet socially with anyone else indoors, whether that’s in the home, or a public setting. We know this is going to be difficult and upsetting news for many, but we also know that household mixing is the cause of many Covid-19 infections.

“If we all stick to these measures and each do what we can now, we can hopefully avoid further restrictions and return to Tier 1 as quickly as possible. While this does involve greater sacrifice, the last thing anyone wants is for the situation to escalate further into Tier 3.

“The sacrifices we each make as individuals will directly help protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, as well as helping to prevent our local health services from becoming overwhelmed. 

“Tamworth people have been amazing so far and have really come together as a community. We know people are getting fed up with the situation, as we all are, but we need to keep up the community spirit and the hard work so we can get through this as quickly as possible.”

The Government’s three tier alerts are: Medium, High and Very High. The main difference between Medium and High is the additional laws on households mixing indoors. The Very High Alert would see even tougher restrictions, including some businesses being forced to close.

The new restrictions for the High Alert Level mean:

• You must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them. This includes private homes, and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants.
• You must not meet indoors with people in any other alert level, including those living in a lower alert level
• You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space. When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than six. The “Rule of Six” includes children of any age
• You can still travel to other areas, but you are advised to limit your trips as much as possible
• You should not visit relatives in care homes unless there are exceptional circumstances

Detailed information about what Tier 2 High Level Alert means is available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high