Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Monday there will likely be a return to the tiered Covid Nationwide Alert system after the present nationwide lockdown ends on 2 December.
Northamptonshire was within the lowest tier — medium danger — earlier than the lockdown was introduced on November 2 however the variety of instances within the county has continued to rise sharply.
The PM has additionally prompt that there will likely be extra areas put into greater tiers this time as earlier restrictions weren’t powerful sufficient.
The Authorities says it would announce what tier Northamptonshire will likely be positioned in tomorrow (Thursday) however some guidelines will apply to all areas. This is what we all know:—
What will likely be checked out to find out Northamptonshire tier?
The Authorities will have a look at the most recent information, together with the affect of present measures. Selections will primarily be based mostly on 5 key indicators:
1. Case detection charges in all age teams
2. Case detection charges within the over 60s
3. The speed at which instances are rising or falling
4. Positivity price — the variety of optimistic instances detected as a proportion of exams taken
5. Strain on the NHS, together with present and projected occupancy of hospital beds
No matter tier Northamptonshire is in, everybody:
MUST put on a face overlaying in most indoor public settings and on public transport, until they’ve an exemption
SHOULD observe the principles on assembly others safely
SHOULD attend college or faculty as regular, until they’re self-isolating. Faculties, universities, schools and early years settings stay open in all tiers
SHOULD stroll or cycle the place potential, plan forward and keep away from busy instances and routes when travelling
MUST observe the gathering limits at their tier aside from in particular settings and circumstances. These exemptions are detailed on the finish of this steering
In all tiers, the next companies and venues can stay open however should stay Covid-secure:
■ Important and non-essential retail, together with indoor and out of doors markets and automobile boot gross sales
■ Sure leisure and sporting services equivalent to gyms, sports activities courts and services, leisure centres, health and dance studios, golf programs, swimming swimming pools, using centres, out of doors playgrounds – topic to related social contact guidelines in every tier. Indoor group actions and lessons shouldn’t happen at tier 3
■ Private care and shut contact companies equivalent to hairdressers and barbers, magnificence salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and sweetness companies, therapeutic massage parlours and tanning salons
■ Public buildings, equivalent to libraries, neighborhood centres and halls. They need to not host occasions for personal rent, equivalent to birthday events or most different social actions in tier 3
allotments, recycling and waste centres, public bathrooms, automobile parks
■ Important public companies such because the NHS and medical companies, courts, and jobcentre plus websites
■ Locations of worship – communal worship can now resume, topic to related social contact guidelines in every tier
Journey restrictions between tiers will likely be lifted to offer a window for households to return collectively between the December 23 and December 27.
As much as three households can type an unique ‘bubble’ to fulfill at residence throughout this era. Bubbles are mounted and should not be modified or prolonged additional at any level.
Every Christmas bubble can meet at residence, at a spot of worship or an out of doors public place. However current, extra restrictive guidelines on hospitality and assembly in different venues will likely be maintained all through this era.
And what about visiting care properties?
Visits to care properties CAN happen with preparations equivalent to substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits.
Common testing will likely be supplied for as much as two relations or pals per resident by Christmas, which — when mixed with different infection-control measures equivalent to PPE — will help indoor visits with bodily contact.
