TEESDALE will be kept under the strictest Covid-19 local lockdown measures either side of Christmas, it has been confirmed.
Neighbouring Richmondshire and Eden, in Cumbria, will remain in Tier 2, where pubs and eateries can open for customers.
As had been widely expected, the North East region will be staying in ‘Very High’ alert Tier 3 measures despite a drop in virus infection rates in most areas over recent weeks.
Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed this morning that Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, and all of Teesside would not be allowed to relax restrictions yet.
As of today, upper Teesdale has a rate of 77.8 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people – well below the national average. Barnard Castle’s rate was 96.5, also well below the average. Staindrop, Cockfield and Evenwood’s rate is at 196.4 – above the average.
County Durham’s rate as a whole is at 154.7 – just below the national average. Across the border, Eden’s rate is 123 and Richmondshire’s is 117.
A drop down to Tier 2 would have allowed restaurants to open again, as well as pubs and bars that could offer a ‘substantial meal’, and would have meant that people could socialise in private gardens in groups of up to six.
The continuation of Tier 3 also means that football fans will still not be allowed back into stadiums and that entertainment venues like theatres and cinemas must also stay shut.
Tier 3 rules will remain in place until the Christmas bubble period begins on December 23.
The tier system will then return on December 28, once the five-day Christmas relaxation ends.
There had been calls for areas across the North of England where the number of new Covid cases has fallen to be allowed to leave Tier 3 this Saturday, when any changes to the tier system will come into force.
According to Newcastle City Council data, the North East’s average infection rate is currently 161 new weekly cases per 100,000 people – lower than the England average of 203.
On the day that the North East was first placed into Tier 3, November 26, the region’s infection rate was 254 per 100,000.
South Tyneside has by far the highest rate among the LA7 group of councils, while Gateshead has the lowest.
Here is the list in full, calculated by the PA news agency based on Public Health England data. From left to right, it reads: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to December 12; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to December 12; rate of new cases in the seven days to December 5; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to December 5:
South Tyneside – 316.6, (478), 206.7, (312)
Northumberland – 171.8, (554), 158.2, (510)
Sunderland – 153.0, (425), 163.1, (453)
County Durham – 151.7, (804), 143.7, (762)
Newcastle upon Tyne – 146.6, (444), 114.3, (346)
North Tyneside – 129.9, (270), 142.4, (296)
Gateshead – 100.5, (203), 93.5, (189)
What are the rules for Tier 3?
You must not socialise indoors with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble.
Groups of six people can meet in outdoor public spaces, such as parks – but not in private gardens.
Pubs, bars, and restaurants must be closed – other than for takeaway. Hotels must also stay closed.
Indoor entertainment venues – such as cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys and casinos – will remain closed.
Shops and personal care businesses, such as hairdressers and beauty salons, can open.
People should avoid travelling out of the area or making overnight stays outside of the area, other than where necessary.
Weddings and civil partnerships can be held but with only 15 guests, increasing to 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions are banned in Tier 3.
Places of worship can open, but people must not mix with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
Exercise classes and organised sport can take place outdoors, but people are advised to avoid higher-risk contact activity.
Fans will not be allowed to attend sporting events, including football matches.
