Could Dorset move to Tier 1 on the 16th December?
The leader of BCP Council thinks its a possibility
The leader of BCP Council has said he is “hopeful” Dorset could move into less strict coronavirus restrictions later this month.
Councillor Drew Mellor said there were “no guarantees” but that if infections rates continue to fall a move into Tier 1 could happen as soon as the first review on December 16.
He said Tier 2 was a particularly “difficult place” for the hospitality industry and said he was “really keen” for an easing of restrictions to support it.
The tier system came into force on Wednesday based on a decision made by the government last week.
At the time the BCP Council area had an infection rate of just under 150 per 100,000 although the latest figures show it has fallen to 85.8.
MPs and business leaders have called for the county to be moved into Tier 1, partly to support the hospitality sector which has seen a sharp fall in customers due to the stricter restrictions.
Andy Lennox, the founder of industry organisation Wonky Table, said there had been “a complete collapse” in bookings with its members reporting a 70 per cent decrease.
Speaking during his Facebook question and answer session on Wednesday, Cllr Mellor acknowledged Tier 2 put the sector in “a difficult place”.
“We’ve got a very hospitality-dependent economy,” he said. “We’re really keen that when the tiers get reviewed on December 16 we can go down a tier.
“We’re working with the government to understand the criteria but our infection numbers are going in the right direction.
“If they carry on going in that direction we’re hopeful that we can get to Tier 1 soon but there’s no guarantee on that.”
The government has said it will review areas’ tiers every two weeks and that its decisions were primarily based on five criteria:
Infection rates across all age groups
Infection rates among over-60s
The rate at which cases are increasing or decreasing
The rate of positive cases following testing
Pressure on the NHS
Cllr Mellor said these figures were falling but that the South West had a lower NHS capacity than other regions meaning it was under more pressure than other areas with similar case rates.