Coronavirus: Bucks sits in 'Medium risk' tier

Here is a reminder of what that means for life in Buckinghamshire.

Author: Oliver Sirrell, Local Democracy ReporterPublished 14th Oct 2020

Aylesbury Vale is set to be placed in the lowest tier of England’s new three-tier coronavirus restriction system.

The district, which has recorded 33.6 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days, falls under the same measures as the rest of Buckinghamshire’s patches in the ‘medium risk’ category.

A placement in Tier One of the new triple-tier system means Aylesbury Vale will follow national rules.

What does this mean?

  • Meeting no more than six people (unless from an extended household) indoors and outdoors
  • Pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm, with table service only
  • Schools and nurseries remain open
  • You are advised to work from home if possible
  • Face coverings must be worn in shops, on public transport and in bars and restaurants
  • Only 15 people are allowed at weddings and up to 30 at funerals.

What are the case rates like in the rest of Bucks?

Public Health England data shows many cases per 100,000 people have been recorded in these Buckinghamshire districts in the past week.

  • Aylesbury Vale: 33.6
  • Wycombe: 44.7
  • Chiltern: 59.4
  • South Bucks: 64.2

What do Tier 2 and Tier 3 mean?

At the moment there does not appear to be any likelihood Aylesbury Vale will be placed in either of these tiers in the immediate future.

Tier two means households are not allowed to mix indoors, but two households can meet in a private garden socially distanced.

Tier three means households are not allowed to mix indoors or outdoors, pubs and bars must close, restaurants can stay open, gyms, betting shops, casinos and hairdressers may be forced to close, non-essential shops, schools and universities can stay open, people must avoid non-essential travel and travel outside the local area is advised against.