Three Tier Lockdown System - what does it mean for the North East?

The Prime Minister's announced a new system to "simplify and standardise" local lockdown rules in England.

From Wednesday 14th October, areas will be divided into three alert levels - medium, high and very high - depending on coronavirus infection rates.

A press release from 10 Downing Street confirms the following places are classed as High Alert (Tier 2):

Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and County Durham.

This means businesses like bars, restaurants, pubs, casinos and gyms will be allowed to remain open, although the 10pm curfew will still be in place, and groups of more than 6 people are banned.

NHS England's medical director says more people are now in hospital with Covid-19 than before restrictions were announced in March.

He says the country is in a better position than before lockdown, but it's now a question of when rates will rise, not if.

A joint statement from the leaders of all 7 North East councils, and the North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll says:

“We were clear in our discussions with government that stricter measures for our region would not be welcome and we are pleased this has been recognised in the Prime Minister’s announcement today.

“The data shows early promising signs in infection rates across the North East and it was imperative that the existing measures were given the necessary time to have the desired effect.

“The figures show a levelling off and slight decrease in infections for our region, and we want our communities to be given the chance to make the current arrangements work before further disruptive changes are introduced.

“While the Chancellor’s recent announcement of financial support for those areas facing the strictest levels of lockdown was welcome, our discussions with government will continue to push for businesses in our region to be given the backing they need to survive the months ahead, regardless of what tier we are in.

“We will also continue to work with government to develop a tracking and tracing system which capitalises on the local expertise and knowledge of our communities to help us fight the virus.

“Clearly, there is still a long way to go and the fact we have avoided the most severe level of restrictions should not be taken as a sign we are in the clear. We must not get complacent.

“The threat of the virus has not diminished, and we need every single person in our region to do their bit to prevent it from ripping through our communities.

“If we are to beat COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable residents, we need everybody to follow the restrictions in place, avoid gatherings and mixing indoors with other households, and maintain the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ public health guidance at all times.

“Failing to do this will see infection rates rise further and, inevitably, harsher and more damaging restrictions being imposed upon us.”

Three Nightingale hospitals in the north of England - including the Sunderland one - have been asked to get ready to accept patients over the next few weeks.

The Unit, near the Washington Nissan plant hasn't been used to treat patients yet.

And teenagers in England are to be given more time to prepare for their exams next summer.

Most A-level and GCSE tests will be delayed by three weeks to make up for lost teaching time.