Coventry moving into Tier 2 of COVID alert
It means further restrictions as the level will move to 'high' alert
Last updated 21st Oct 2020
Coventry is to move up into Tier 2 of the new national COVID-19 risk alert system with new restrictions expected to come into force at midnight on Friday
The new rules will restrict households mixing in homes and hospitality venues, as well as the existing rules such as social distancing and face coverings.
Coventry had originally been named in the lowest tier when the scheme was announced last week, but has now been placed in the next category – moving from medium risk to high risk.
The move – which is expected to come into effect at midnight on Friday – is a response to a continuing rise in the number of cases of the virus in households and communities across the city.
The latest data shows the city’s current seven-day infection rate now stands at now 174 cases per 100,000 people. Cases have been showing a consistent, upward trend over the past weeks and have been spread right across the city.
Additional Tier 2 restrictions mean that:
- Households will not be able to mix indoors including in homes, leisure or hospitality venues.
- People can come inside your home for specific purposes. These include where everyone in the gathering lives together, or is in the same support bubble; to attend a birth at the mother’s request; to visit a person who is dying; to fulfil a legal obligation; for work purposes, or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services; for the purposes of education or training; for the purposes of childcare; to provide emergency assistance; to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; to facilitate a house move; to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.
- Households will be able to mix outside, including in parks, and private gardens provided they do not gather in groups of more than six.
- Existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents will remain exempt.
- Friends and family can also still provide informal childcare for children under 14.
The move to Tier 2 was 'inevitable'
Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “It is disappointing for all of us that we have moved up into Tier 2, but the reality is that a consistent increase in positive cases over the last few weeks made that inevitable.
“The move does bring additional restrictions and as a city we need to collectively set an objective to get back into Tier 1 as soon as we can.
“We can do that by following the new rules - that means no mixing of households or social bubbles in indoor settings, wearing masks when we need to, washing hands and socially distancing. People who have Covid-19 symptoms need to isolate and get a free test immediately.
“I want to thank the excellent health and key-workers as well as the vast majority of the people of the city who have reacted so brilliantly since this pandemic started. Despite what we have had to collectively endure they have all shown a tremendous community spirit, but I am asking them all to redouble their efforts to help reduce rates once again.
“At the same time as making this ask to our communities, we must also ask the government to mend the broken test, track and trace system so it is the world-class service we were promised as I believe without this failure, these additional restrictions may not have been necessary.”
Although Coventry’s cases per 100,000 has risen in recent weeks, it remains lower than neighbouring Birmingham and Solihull, and lower than the West Midlands' Combined Authority average.
Around 40% of positive cases are from the 18-21 age group and hospital admissions remain lower than the West Midlands average, along with positive cases in the 60 and over age group.
Liz Gaulton, Coventry’s Director of Public Health, echoed the view that everyone has a role to play in reducing positive rates.
She said: “This has to be a determined effort by the whole city; everyone who lives, works and studies here.
“We would urge everyone to continue following health guidelines and look closely at the new measures that come with the Tier 2 level so we can halt the spread of coronavirus in our city.”
For details on all the current coronavirus guidelines and advice visit the Government website or the coronavirus information pages on this website.
What does being in Tier 2 mean?
The government's three-tier strategy of regional measures are designed to avoid a national lockdown. Here's what Tier 2 involves...
Can I mix with people outside my bubble?
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 may continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space. When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than 6. This limit of 6 includes children of any age.
Can I go to work?
People are advised to work from home where possible, but are able to still go to work if this isn't an option.
Are schools open?
It has been confirmed that schools and universities will remain open.
Can I attend weddings and funerals?
Weddings and funerals are able to go ahead with restrictions on the number of people attending, 15 can attend weddings and 30 attend funerals.
Are restaurants and pubs closed?
Pubs & restaurants following COVID-secure guidance may still open, but no one must mix indoors with anyone who they do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) unless exemptions apply. Outdoors, you can meet in groups of up to 6 people.
I want to exercise, are gyms open and sports allowed?
You can take part in organised outdoor sport and physical activity, including exercise classes, in any number, provided this follows the relevant guidance (for team sports or for other outdoor licensed physical activity and exercise classes).
Organised indoor sport, exercise classes and other activity groups are only permitted indoors if is it possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). Where it is likely that households (or support bubbles) will mix, these activities must not go ahead. Social interaction before and after any sport or exercise should be limited to people from the same household or support bubble.
There are exceptions for disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can happen in any number.
Can I stay overnight in the UK?
You can still travel within high alert level areas to hotels and other guest accommodation, but you should only do this with people in your household or support bubble.
You can still go on holiday outside of high alert level areas, but you must only do this with people in your household or support bubble.
Can I go to church or other places of worship?
Mixing outside of bubbles is not permitted, but places of worship remain open for individuals or household bubbles as long as social distancing is maintained.
What about childcare?
Registered childcare can carry on, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children's playgroups. This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies.
Registered childcare providers and people in either your support bubble or your childcare bubble can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens
A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. This must always be between the same 2 households.
Can I visit a care home?
You should not visit a care home except in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit an individual who is at the end of their life.
Can I still move house?
You can still move home if you're in a high alert level area.
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.
Can I travel out of the area?
You can still go on holiday outside of high alert level areas, but you must only do this with people in your household or support bubble.
When travelling, it is important that you respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where their intended activities there would be prohibited by legislation passed by the relevant devolved administration. You should also avoid travelling to any part of the country subject to very high local COVID alert levels.