New tougher coronavirus restrictions for South Yorkshire
They include a ban on households mixing indoors
Last updated 12th Oct 2020
People across South Yorkshire will be banned from mixing with other households indoors from Wednesday, as the county faces tougher measures to tackle the rise in coronavirus cases.
Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster have been placed in Tier Two of a three-tier system of restrictions, meaning the risk is 'high'.
It means the county's escaped the strictest measures like pubs, bars and gyms closing. They'll stay open for now.
This is what we know so far about the rules, which come into effect on Wednesday:
- Different households mixing indoors will be banned, including in homes and hospitality venues like pubs and restaurants. There'll be an exemption for childcare.
- Households CAN mix outdoors in these settings but subject to the rule of six and social distancing.
Sheffield has one of the highest weekly rates of coronavirus in England, but Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster's rates are all considerably lower. These restrictions, though, cover the whole county and will take effect on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister launched the three-tier system of local alert levels for England in Parliament earlier, with the Liverpool city region placed in the most serious "very high'' risk category.
Boris Johnson told MPs that the coming weeks and months would `"test the mettle'' of the country as it faced a second wave of Covid-19 cases.
Under the new arrangements:
- The medium alert level will cover most of England and will consist of the current national measures, including the rule of six and the 10pm curfew.
- The high alert level reflects interventions in many areas subject to local restrictions, preventing mixing between different households indoors.
Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into this category, as well as Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak.
Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has also confirmed he's been told by the Health Secretary that South Yorkshire will be in Tier Two
- The very high alert level will mean, at a minimum, the closure of pubs and bars and a ban on social mixing indoors and in private gardens.
The Prime Minister told MPs:
"The weeks and months ahead will continue to be difficult and will test the mettle of this country.''
But he added: "I have no doubt at all that together we will succeed.''
MPs will debate and vote on the measures on Tuesday and the new tiered system will come into effect on Wednesday.