Dorset to stay in Tier 2 COVID restrictions

Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will stay in Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions.

The health secretary told MPs today that very few changes would be made after a review of areas yesterday.

The only areas moving down a tier are Bristol and North Somerset, which move to Tier 2. Herefordshire will also move down from Tier 2 to Tier 1.

The impact of the national lockdown in November was successful in driving down cases across both local authority areas but with the move into tier two this downward trend has levelled off.

Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said:

“I understand people may feel frustrated and disappointed by this decision. Locally, we have seen the reduction in case rates level off and plateau in recent days and our hospital system remains under pressure.

“Tier one restrictions would not be enough to continue to bring our rates down, and we would risk having to go back into tougher measures.

“Most people have been doing a really good job in complying with the measures and I’d urge everyone not to drop their guard, and to keep social contact to a minimum, particularly over the five days of reduced restrictions over Christmas.”

Areas will need to show a sustained fall before being considered for moving down tiers.

Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, said:

“I am disappointed that the Dorset Council area will remain in Tier 2, as we know the rate of COVID infection here is one of the lowest in the country. However, with it being so close to Christmas bubble restrictions coming into force, I understand the concerns the Government has and certainly wouldn’t want to see cases rise. The people of Dorset have worked really hard and made sacrifices over many months. I’d like to thank them once again for their efforts. If we can continue what we are doing now, we can hopefully go back into Tier 1 in the very near future.”

Craig Oakes is the President of Weymouth Chamber of Commerce. He says the Tier system needs to be reformed.

"We have always had the view that the government needs to start looking at longer term strategies. They obviously have the vaccine as a weapon in their arsenal now, which should help towards bringing down the coronavirus.

"I think they need to start working on strategies beyond tiering which can help people to live their lives over the next 4, 5, 6 months rather than the constant rollercoaster ride we're in; lockdown, open, lockdown, open."