Test Valley now in highest Covid alert level
The changes came into force at 00:01 this morning (Saturday 26th December)
The Test Valley Borough Council area is now in tier 4 of the Covid alert level.
Much of South and South East of England is now in the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, with the whole of Hampshire upgraded, apart from the New Forest, which is in tier 3.
The tougher tier will apply to Sussex, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, those parts of Essex not yet in Tier 4, and Waverley in Surrey as well.
When the announcement was made on Wednesday (23rd December) Councillor Keith Mans, Leader of Hampshire County Council and Chair of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said:
“Central Government has confirmed that all areas of Hampshire will be placed under COVID-19 Tier 4 restrictions from Saturday, 26 December, with the exception of the New Forest.
While this announcement may come as a surprise, given that many will have been expecting the next statutory Tier review to take place on 30 December, it is a reflection of rapidly rising infection rates across our county and the impact on local hospitals. Therefore, it is crucial that we all take the necessary steps to protect the public’s health – particularly those who are elderly or clinically extremely vulnerable. It’s the right thing to do.
We must continue to work together, follow the rules for our Tiers and protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities, especially with the threat of a new COVID-19 variant spreading much faster in Tier 4 areas, and the ongoing rise in transmission in general across the country.”
WHAT DOES TIER 4 MEAN?
Here are the rules for people living in tier 4 areas:
Despite much of the South being put up a level or two, Wiltshire is to remain in tier 2 for the time being.
Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
“We have seen a significant rise in COVID-19 cases so we all have to keep playing our part and support each other as much as possible.
It is therefore vital that the people of Wiltshire stay local and shop local within Wiltshire in order to protect our local population.”
The next review of the tiered restrictions is supposed to take place on December 30th.