The leader of Cheshire East Council has said that the government did not consult with them before announcing that Cheshire East had been placed in Tier Two - the high level.
As a result, from tomorrow (Wednesday, October 14), residents can no longer mix with people outside of their household or social bubble indoors.
Cheshire East residents can continue to meet other people outdoors - whilst observing the existing Rule of Six.
Speaking after the announcement, Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council said: "It is too early for us to give any further clarity over and above what we heard the Prime Minister say in the House of Commons this afternoon.
"Disappointingly, we were not consulted on new restrictions planned for implementation in Cheshire East from Wednesday of this week. This is despite us, with Cheshire West and Warrington councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership, writing in detail to Secretary of State for Health, setting out our asks of government over a week ago, with no reply.
"We developed our asks of Government in order to take action early and effectively, on the basis of a stitch in time saves nine. In the delay we have seen a substantial rise in cases."
Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader said: "Cheshire East has been put into the 'high alert' level of intervention, also known as 'tier two'.
"Our ask to the Secretary of State made it clear that, in order to be effective, enhanced measures would require financial support. We have received no confirmation that additional funding will be provided, or that the necessary financial support for business will be forthcoming.
"We need to see the detail behind these new interventions before we can give any further clarity or reassurance to residents and businesses in Cheshire East."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Whether it’s a lock in, a lockout, a lockup or a lockdown a showdown is coming. At the end of the day or sundown, maybe we can takedown the shutdown idea & have only a rundown or a slowdown instead.
We must turn down a complete closedown leading to the let down of an economic breakdown. Having backed down on a total closedown we need the lowdown on a workable crackdown which won’t be such a comedown.
If we then pin down such a clampdown idea we can facedown COVID cutting down infections rate, bring down the disruption & be able to push down the time frame needed to reach a final stand down.
At this touchdown stage we can all cool down, calm down, come out from under the eiderdown & turn that frown upside down.