COVID Tier announcement Summary from Hampshire County Council

​This is to confirm that from Wednesday, 2 December the Government recommendation is that Hampshire is placed in the High COVID Tier (Tier 2), replacing the national lockdown restrictions currently in place. You will appreciate that this is a higher tier than we were in prior to the lockdown and reflects the increasing threat posed by the pandemic.
 
While it is welcome that the rate of increase in infection rates appears now to be turning following the second lockdown, rates are continuing to rise across the county.
Therefore, it is imperative that we do not become complacent in the lead up to Christmas and beyond, and continue to promote to all our communities, the importance of adhering to the appropriate public health guidance for our Tier.
 
The key guidance for the High Tier is:

• You must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
• Make sure indoor spaces are well ventilated
• Outdoors, minimise the number of people you meet from outside your household or support bubble, follow the ‘Rule of 6’, including in gardens and public spaces
• Large events and gatherings are strongly discouraged
• Places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside your household or support building while you are indoors
• Restrictions apply on how many people can attend weddings and civil partnerships (15 people) and funerals (30 people).
• Work from home if you can
• Continue to attend school: all education settings including registered childminders remain open
• Avoid travelling on public transport at busy times: walk or cycle if you can. Follow Tier 2 (High) rules if you travel to a Tier 1 (Medium) area. Avoid travel to Tier 3 (Very High) areas.
• Businesses can continue to operate in a COVID-secure manner: remember to check in wherever you see the QR code for the NHS COVID-19 app
• Hospitality venues operating as restaurants can provide table service only where alcohol is served and will be closed between 11pm and 5am (last orders at 10pm)
• Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue. Indoor sporting activity is only permitted if people can avoid mixing with others they do not live with or who are not in their support bubble
• Remember ‘hands, face, space’
• If you have symptoms, however mild, follow self-isolation guidance and get a test

 
Further, more detailed information explaining the Tiers and associated rules is available on the gov.uk website.
 
In determining the Tier level for Hampshire, the Government has taken into account a combined number of key indicators:

• Case detection rates in all age groups
• Case detection rates in the over 60s
• The rate at which cases are rising or falling
• Positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken); and
• Pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy

We will now start to roll out a wide-ranging programme of communications over the coming days to ensure local residents, as well as our partners and key stakeholders,  are well informed about the new rules and what it means for them.
 
Your support with cascading this messaging is crucial – and thank you for everything you have done in this regard to date.
 
Kind regards
Deborah
 
 
Deborah Harkin
Assistant Chief Executive
Corporate Services, Hampshire County Council
Room 131, Elizabeth II Court South
The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
[email protected]
MS Teams: 0370 779 5697

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