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.
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.
“Unfortunately, we’re now seeing a steep rise in case numbers across the country – including here in Cornwall. Changing tier means stricter rules, but if we all stick to them it will help prevent the virus from spreading further.
“It is absolutely vital that we continue to follow the guidelines to keep one another safe. That means continuing to wash your hands or using hand sanitiser often, wearing a face covering in public places such as shops and on public transport, and keeping two metres apart.
“Testing facilities will be open over the festive period, so if you have any symptoms – a persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of taste or smell - please remember to self-isolate straight away and book a test.”
Rachel Wigglesworth, director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
“I know how hard people in Cornwall have worked to stick to the rules, but this steep rise in case numbers demands urgent action. Moving up a tier will introduce some additional rules aimed at stopping the virus from spreading as freely in our communities.
“I can’t stress how important it is that we all stick to these new rules and follow the public health guidance. We must safeguard the most vulnerable among us and protect our NHS through what is likely to be an incredibly difficult few weeks for all of us.
“As it has throughout the pandemic, Cornwall Council will do all it can to support residents and together we’ll get through this.”
Cornwall Council Deputy Leader Adam Paynter