WARWICKSHIRE will be plunged into Tier 4 restrictions from midnight.
Health secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement today (December 30) which includes a ‘stay at home’ order, meaning all non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers must close.
Nearly three quarters of the country has been placed in the highest tier of restrictions, which comes after the weekly case rate in England rose to 402 per 100,000 between December 18 and 24 – a 32 per cent increase on the previous week.
NHS figures show nearly 15,000 patients have been admitted to hospital with coronavirus in the past week, an 18 per cent increase on the week before.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council Izzi Seccombe said: “Moving into Tier 4 is not the news we wanted to hear, but it’s clear from the rising number of Covid 19 cases and the increasing pressure on the NHS, that it is the best way to control the virus. However, I know this decision will have significant impact on Warwickshire residents and businesses and we are keen to do everything we can to support you.
“So as we move into the New Year, I’m asking Warwickshire residents to play their part and help to keep each other safe. The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out and this gives us much hope for the future. But for now, as we get through these difficult winter months, we must remember that this is a public health crisis. So please follow the new restrictions, get a test if you have any of the Covid symptoms and remember the hands, face, space guidance.
“By doing this, we can move towards the better 2021 that we are all looking forward to.”
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce says government needs to ensure firms are given enough support to help them survive and then recover.
Chief executive Louise Bennett “As we have said from the outset of the pandemic, health must come first but the latest restrictions to hit the region mean even more businesses will have to close their doors and it’s vitally important government continues to help firms to get through this.
“With the roll-out of the vaccine underway and the approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, companies across Coventry and Warwickshire can see a light at the end of the tunnel so it’s crucial that as many businesses as possible survive the difficult weeks ahead.
“Then, there needs to be a short, medium and long-term plan to build a sustained economic recovery after the most devastating downturn any of us have seen. Government must work with business to help create that plan.”
