COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

It follows the government review



The toughest Tier 3 restrictions remain in place across Coventry and Warwickshire.

That is the result of the much-anticipated government Tier review held yesterday.

It means that pubs, clubs and restaurants will have to remain closed over what is traditionally their busiest time of the year.

Coventry and Warwickshire were not in the list of areas revealed to be moving down a tier by Health Sectretary Matt Hancock during his statement to Parliament.

Bristol and North Somerset have been moved from Tier 3 into Tier 2 and Herefordshire has moved from Tier 2 to Tier 1. Those are the only areas that have seen restrictions reduced while many areas went up a tier.

As reported in our newsletter, both Coventry and Warwickshire's average Covid-19 rate has been increasing.

Cases and rate is one of the five main factors the government took into consideration when deciding if an area should remain in the same Tier - or be moved.

Mayor seeking 'urgent clarification' on why Coventry and Warwickshire haven't moved to Tier 2



The Mayor of the West Midlands is seeking 'urgent clarification' over why Coventry and Warwickshire has not moved to Tier 2.

Andy Street has spoken out on social media over the 'incredibly disappointing' that all of his areas remain in Tier 3.

He thinks it is especially unfair on Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull as he said 'immense progress' has been made here in bringing down the Covid-19 cases and rate.

He said: "Incredibly disappointing that all of the West Mids is to remain in Tier 3. The Government has taken a very cautious approach, but that doesn’t explain why Coventry, Solihull, and Warwickshire have not moved to Tier 2 after making immense progress. I will be seeking urgent clarification.

"I will continue to press the argument for further financial support. A £3k grant is simply not sufficient to keep businesses afloat, and the Government must address this - particularly for the hospitality and live events sectors - to protect viable businesses and jobs."

Decision making 'not clear' on Coventry's Tier 3 status says city leader



No change in Coventry’s tier placing is “not a surprise” given a gradual increase in coronavirus rates in the city, the council’s leader said.

But Cllr George Duggins has placed doubt in whether the tier system has done enough to control the virus, urging the government to “look more carefully” at the policy.

Cllr Duggins said: “Once the rate started to go up it was not a surprise that we ended up in Tier 3 especially with the warnings around Christmas.

“Very clearly the government are nervous about the policies they have in place around Christmas.

“Again, it is not clear how they have come to these decisions. It is not clear what numbers they are using. They have never made it clear where in the rate per 100,000 you have to be before you are put into a tier.

“Our numbers have never gone anywhere near 300 and have been around 150 recently and as low as 119 last week. We now remain in Tier 3 and that could be for some time.

“We have had 20 weeks of lockdown in Coventry and the highest restrictions and we are no further forward."

Coventry and Warwickshire remain in Tier 3 as large swathes upgrade to Tier 4 on Boxing Day



Coventry and Warwickshire will remain in Tier 3 as large swathes upgrade to Tier 4 on Boxing Day.

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced that some areas across the country will move into the strictest restrictions immediately after Christmas - but not Coventry and Warwickshire.

Locally it was feared that Rugby may be moved into Tier 4 due to its spike in Covid-19 cases and rate - which has almost topped the 400 mark.

Latest data for Coventry, as of the week leading up to December 18, saw the rate at 220.18 per 100,000 people while Warwickshire's average rate, for the same time period, stood at 224.94 per 100,000 people.

Both areas have seen the rate steadily rise but the government wants them to remain within the Tier 3 restrictions for the time being.