Anxious wait for Government tier announcement

Anxious wait for Government tier announcement

Residents of North East Lincolnshire are anxiously waiting to hear which tier they will be in after the national lockdown ends, in an announcement expected tomorrow (Thursday).

Boris Johnson announced tougher new rules as part of the government’s Covid Winter Plan and it is widely expected that this area will be moved straight into the ‘very high alert’ Tier 3 with case rates above the national average.

The most recent NHS data available put North East Lincolnshire’s case rate at 419 cases per 100,000 people, making it the twelfth highest in the country.

North East Lincolnshire moved into Tier 2 before the national lockdown began.

However until an official announcement is made, it won’t be known for sure which areas are destined for Tier 3 restrictions on December 2.

The Government will decide which tier each region is placed in based on the number of cases in each area, particularly in people aged over 60.

A Public Health spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire said: “Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new tier system that will come into place across the country next week, we are waiting to hear from the Government about which tier restrictions are likely to apply to North East Lincolnshire.

“Clearly the lockdown is having an impact as our case rate has started to come down slightly. Despite this, under old tier system our current case rate would still place us in top tier restrictions.

“With regards to the new tiers announced, we cannot pre-empt Government announcements and await the detail of which restrictions will apply to North East Lincolnshire.”

However they added: “Regardless of tiers, people must continue to abide by those key, simple steps. Self-isolate from people you do not live with – even family members, friends and work colleagues, wash or sanitise your hands frequently, and wear a mask when you go into crowded and enclosed public spaces.”