Cheshire East is to move into tier 3 – the Covid 'very high alert' level from one minute past midnight on Boxing Day.
Until then tier 2 restrictions, and the special conditions for Christmas Day, apply.
The key changes will mean:
● Pubs restaurants and bars can only open for takeaways;
● No spectators at sporting events; and
● People are advised not to move to and from tier three areas.
Responding to the government's decision to move Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington into tier 3, the council leaders said: "We are deeply disappointed to see the recent acceleration of rates of infection across Cheshire, and the impact on our local NHS.
"Our communities and businesses have played their part in avoiding tier 3 restrictions up to this point and we want to pay tribute to them, and to our local public health teams, for their amazing dedication and commitment.
"While we agree that additional restrictions have become necessary, the government's decision to implement them at this time will have a devastating impact on our hospitality businesses and their employees. We therefore call on the government to provide additional support for those affected and the local resources we need to turn this situation around as quickly as possible.
"The councils will continue to do all we can to support our communities at this challenging time."
Dr Matt Tyrer, Cheshire East director of public health, said: "We have been seeing a worrying increase in infection rates across the borough and neighbouring areas. News of the new variant Covid virus is a real concern.
"It is clear that we need to take urgent action to slow the rate of infections to allow local testing and contact tracing and the vaccination programme to work – to slow and ultimately stop the virus.
"We know what will work – if we do not get close to other people, the virus can't spread. Hand, face space has never been more important."
Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, added: "I'd like to thank everyone for their efforts to reduce infections and for the changes and sacrifices people and businesses have made. However, it is clear that we all need to do more to beat the virus and prevent our health and care services being overwhelmed."
Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "We know that this will hit both individuals and businesses hard, particularly at this time of year.
"Your council will continue to deliver services, following the regulations and guidance, and will support those affected by the virus and by the restrictions imposed to manage it."
Visit the government website for full details of tier 3 restrictions at: gov.uk/guidance/tier-3
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The situation really does seem to have been underestimated over the past month. Now there are two more aggressive strains on the loose.
We called the restaurant to query their policy for ensuring the safety of their clients but the person we spoke to was unable to answer as she had been “drafted in “due to the large number of bookings for the next two weeks ( not now however!)
We cancelled the table
Anyone who has been in shops in the last few weeks will have seen people wearing their masks like chin straps the second they were through the door, or no masks at all.
Anyone walking down residential streets in the last few weeks will have seen people turning up in cars to visit others, and so many cars coming to some houses there were clearly parties.
As a society we get what we deserve. Sadly though, those who have been ignoring the rules will continue to ignore them and those most conscientious will be impacted most.
Not saying do not have it. Just saying ask more questions. GPs have to gain your informed consent - make sure you ask before you buy - it is costing you the taxpayers many billions of pounds.
Read:
https://tinyurl.com/y8kpjbmf
They want extra Police and Army to enforce this. Even during the War Britons were not subject to this level of restriction. Who in their right mind wants this? And the NHS which cannot cope(not in all regions, mind) is demanding that any retired Medics are not allowed back to serve unless they complete 12 useless modules in "Diversity training", "Prevent terrorism", "Anger Management" , "Unconcious Bias" etc all foisted upon them by useless NHS Management and the assorted parasites who offer their Consultancy and Training Courses. The NHS is a "Milch Cow" and we the Public are paying for it. Either they need these wonderful Doctors or someone is lying in the NHS. I see mass peaceful non compliance by April and I applaud it.
single shot the blame for covid is theres alone thank god we have a
submarine fleet.