Local MP “Following the rules together we can get out of these tough measures.”

Local MP “Following the rules together we can get out of these tough measures.”

The Government has announced that Hampshire has been placed in Tier 2 High Alert - local covid restriction level in order to safeguard the gains made during the period of national restrictions.

The first review point for the current tier allocations will take place by Wednesday 16 December. This allows for the possibility of areas that continue to make progress in slowing the spread of the disease to be moved down a tier in advance of Christmas.

Maria said “Basingstoke residents have made huge efforts in following lockdown measures in our community and in doing so keeping the NHS safe for everyone.

Following the second lockdown whole of Hampshire has been put into Tier 2 to help ensure our local NHS, particularly our Hospitals are able to care for patients with Coronavirus and other health conditions.

To safeguard the gains made during the period of national restrictions, following the new rules together, continue to keep this virus under control - we can get out of these tough measures. ”

Decisions on tiers are made by ministers based on public health recommendations informed by the following factors:

1. case detection rate (in all age groups and, in particular, among the over 60s)
2. how quickly case rates are rising or falling
3. positivity in the general population
4. pressure on the NHS – including current and projected (3 to 4 weeks out) NHS capacity – including admissions, general/acute/ICU bed occupancy, staff absences
5. local context and exceptional circumstances such as a local but contained outbreak

Tier 2: High alert

This is for areas with a higher or rapidly rising level of  infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place.

In tier 2:

1. you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
2. you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
3. businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs
4. pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
5. hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:

• provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol
• close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport services and motorway service areas are exempt)
• stop taking orders after 10pm

6. hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
7. early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances  that start before 10pm
8. public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
9. public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
10. places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies
11. weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events such as wakes or stonesettings.
12. organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
13. organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing
14. you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
15. if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey
16. for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

Further information on full list of local restriction tiers by area is available athttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area