'We cannot relax for a moment': Luton's director for public health talks about tier 2 restrictions

Rising coronavirus cases in Luton mean residents shouldn't be taking any chances under the new tier system, according to the borough's director for public health.
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From Wednesday, December 2, Luton will be designated a tier 2 (HIGH alert) category by central government.

All of Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes has been placed in the same tier and the government guidelines will apply across the whole of this area.

Luton Borough Council states that this decision underlines the seriousness of the situation in the town and the "absolute need" to reduce the number of infections as a matter of urgency.

Luton has been placed in tier 2 restrictionsLuton has been placed in tier 2 restrictions
Luton has been placed in tier 2 restrictions

After December 2, the following important restrictions will apply across Bedfordshire:

> 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

> You must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

> Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a Covid-secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs

> Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals

Lucy Hubber, director for public health (interim), said: “The new tier 2 restrictions and the number of rising cases in Luton mean we cannot relax for a moment.

"While there has been a levelling off in the infection rates over the last week due to the sacrifices people are making, our rates are still too high with large numbers of new positive cases being reported each day.

"This means we cannot relax for a moment. We need to continue to do all we can to get them lower.

“In addition to following the government guidance, everyone has the power to make a real difference by following the basic rules of Hands-Face-Space; and to self-isolate if you have any symptoms or are contacted by Test and Trace. If everyone plays their part, we will cut the transmission and save lives.”

Leader of Luton Borough Council, Cllr Hazel Simmons added: “The government’s decision to place us in tier 2 along with the rest of the county will be hard for many – especially as we enter the festive season. The fact that our rates have levelled off is encouraging, but at the same time they haven’t decreased as much as other parts of the country during the current lockdown.

"This means that we all still need to take responsibility and do our bit to protect ourselves and those we love.

“As a town we have worked together in the past to lower infection rates and we are confident we can rise to the challenge again. This dreadful disease is a killer and we all need to play our part in defeating it.”

The government’s tier system differentiates between regions of the country and aims to suppress the transmission of coronavirus by using a sliding scale of restrictions designed to limit social interaction.

The government designates Tier 2 areas as being those that have a higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place