"Coventry and Warwickshire plunged into Tier 4 restrictions"

[dutchman]

The Health Secretary made the announcement



Households across Coventry and Warwickshire have been told they will move into Tier 4 restrictions shortly.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the area will be moved into what are the toughest coronavirus restrictions as of 12.01am tomorrow morning. (December 31).

The change to Tier 4 means people will find themselves under even stricter restrictions, including a 'stay at home' order.

It means that people cannot leave or be outside of the place they live without a reasonable excuse.

Households cannot mix with others indoors, unless it is part of a support bubble.

Outdoors, people can only meet one person from another household. It also means that businesses such as non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms must close.

Many had braced for it in light of the fact that Covid-19 rates have risen in the city as well as across Warwickshire since the last government review on December 23.

Last time the area avoided the toughest restrictions but a list pubished of all areas moved into Tier 4 includes Coventry and Warwickshire.

"Winter is always the most difficult time of year for the NHS and an increase in COVID-19 infections is followed closely by a rise in hospitalisations and, after a lag, an increase in deaths," Mr Hancock said.

"It is vital everyone plays their part by following the regional tiered restrictions in their area to bring down infections, save lives and reduce pressures on the NHS this winter."

[dutchman]

All the Tier 4 rules coming into place in Coventry and Warwickshire

If you live in Tier 4 you must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. A reasonable excuse includes:

• work and volunteering
  
• essential activities, such as food shopping
  
• fulfilling legal obligations
  
• education and childcare
  
• meeting others and care, in your support bubble, a support group, to provide care for vulnerable people, to provide emergency assistance or respite care
  
• exercise and recreation
  
• medical reasons, harm and compassionate visits
  
• communal worship and life events
  
• meeting others safely, you can meet up with one person not from your household outside, but you must be socially distanced

None essential businesses must close. This includes retail stores, which can remain open for click and collect, cafes and restaurants, accommodation, leisure and sports facilities, entertainment establishments, personal care facilities and community centres.

[rebbonk]

Not going to make any difference to me.

[dutchman]

I thought cafés and restaurants were already closed?

[rebbonk]

As I walked the dog earlier, I can't say I noticed any difference to the amount of traffic.

[dutchman]

Primary schools in Coventry planned to open as normal following Tier 4 announcement

Primary school children in Coventry and Warwickshire will be returning to school as normal in the new year.

The confirmation follows the announcement from education secretary Gavin Williamson in the House of Commons yesterday that many primary schools in the South would remain closed.

The government has published a full list of the areas where primary schools would have to remain closed, with the majority of impacted schools are located in the South East of England and London.

Remote learning will be provided for these pupils until the schools re-open.

Coventry and Warwickshire has been placed under Tier 4 measures, leading many to wonder if there child's primary school would be affected.

The return to school for them on January 4 has led to a union saying it could risk bigger rises in Covid-19.

[dutchman]

Cops warn they will fine those who 'deliberately' break rules on New Year's Eve

Warwickshire Police has warned people to 'stay at home' and stick to the rules - or risk being fined.

As the county woke up to the toughest Tier 4 restrictions the force has released the tough message.

Only this week Coventry Live revealed how many fines were dished out to those breaking the rules over the Christmas weekend and those who deliberately flout the new restrictions will face the same fate.

Assistant Chief Constable Debbie Tedds said: “We understand that the move to tighter Tier 4 restrictions is difficult, particularly at the end of what has been an extremely challenging year.

“While this would normally be a time of celebrating and welcoming in a new year with friends and family, this time we must do this in a different way and a way that keeps us all safe.

“I am urging people to follow the Tier 4 rules which are in place to protect us all, our families and loved ones, and our wider communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of people in Warwickshire have stuck to the rules and played their part to protect themselves and others, no matter how difficult, for that we sincerely thank them.

"But despite all our best efforts, the virus continues to spread. We have to carry on taking the necessary steps to prevent this.

“We will continue to engage with people, explain the rules and encourage them to do the right thing.

"But those who deliberately break the rules and place others at risk will face enforcement action and can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice.”

[rebbonk]

They ain't got enough police

I've just come in from walking the dog. It's bl**dy cold out there, that might just help the police as regards outdoor gatherings. However, there seem to be plenty of house parties being prepared for.

[Melisandre]

More like to save the hospital here the nhs again for new years eve with over drinking fighting etc .

[dutchman]

Leisure centres' 'sorrow' at Tier 4 closure



Leisure centre bosses have expressed their sorrow at being forced to close across Nuneaton and Bedworth again.

Due to Warwickshire being placed into tough Tier 4 restrictions, all gyms and leisure centres have to close, including the Pingles, the Jubilee and Etone centres in Nuneaton as well as Bedworth leisure centre.

It is a move that has saddened bosses at Everyone Active, which run the centres on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

Youngsters were due to return to swimming lessons this weekend after a break over Christmas - but these have also fallen foul of the Tier 4 restrictions.

Parents and carers of young swimmers as well as gym and leisure centre users are being contacted by the company.

Joe Warren, contract manager for Everyone Active, said:“We are saddened by the latest government announcement, which unfortunately means our centres in Nuneaton and Bedworth will have to close until further notice.

“We will be contacting all customers directly to confirm arrangements for their memberships while centres are shut.

“We are monitoring government updates closely and will let our customers know when we are able to reopen."

Gyms and leisure centres are not the only places that have been forced to close, so have hairdressers and non essential shops.

Pubs, clubs and restaurants remain shut, a situation they have been in since the second national lockdown.