Cornwall to be placed in Tier 2 as of Boxing Day
It follows a Downing Street briefing this afternoon (Wednesday 23 December) by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock
Last updated 23rd Dec 2020
It has been announced that Cornwall will be placed into Tier 2 from Boxing Day.
Plymouth and the rest of Devon will be staying in Tier 2, whilst Somerset moves into Tier 3.
It comes following today's (Wednesday 23 December) Downing Street press briefing led by the health secretary, Matt Hancock.
In recent weeks, cases of coronavirus have increased across the Duchy, with three new coronavirus-related deaths recorded at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust yesterday (Tuesday 22 December), according to NHS England.
Cornwall Council said that cases continue to rise in the Duchy, from 33 per 100,000 at the end of last week, to over 60 per 100,000 as of Tuesday, following a plea to second home-owners to stay away.
Matt Hancock also outlined areas of England moving up to higher tiers.
"Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset including the North Somerset council area, Swindon, the Isle of Wight, the New Forest and Northamptonshire as well as Chesire and Warrington will all be escalated to Tier 3.
"And I'm afraid that Cornwall and Herefordshire have seen sharply rising rates and need to be escalated to Tier 2.''
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary
Tier 2 rules are as follows:
• You cannot spend time indoors with people outside of your household or bubble
• You can still meet up to six people outdoors
• You should lower the number of journeys you make
• Work from home if you can
• You can travel to other tier areas for work, education, medical attention or caring responsibilities
• If you travel to a higher tier area you need to follow their rules while in the area
• If you travel to a lower tier area you must follow our Tier 2 restrictions.
For businesses
• Pubs and bars must close unless they are operating as a restaurant
• Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with a substantial meal but must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm
• Shops, gyms and personal care such as hairdressers can stay open.More to follow.