A statement from South Gloucestershire Council Director of Public Health, Sara Blackmore as the council area has been placed in Tier 3 – Very High Alert level – from 2 December after the period of National Restrictions ends:
“Thanks to the hard work, sacrifices and the care people have shown for the wider community, the number of new cases we are seeing in South Gloucestershire is slowly reducing. However, the numbers of new cases are still too high and the health system under too much pressure for us to relax and so we have been placed in Tier 3, which is the Very High Alert level.
“This decision has been taken by central Government, based on a number of criteria including the data about the number of cases we are experiencing and the current pressure that our local and regional health and social care services are experiencing.
“While this Tier will allow for some easing of the restrictions imposed under the last national lockdown period, which I know you will welcome, it is still absolutely vital that we follow the new rules and restrictions that apply.
“Coronavirus is still circulating in our communities. Friends, family, neighbours and colleagues are still becoming infected. Only by doing the right thing, by continuing to follow the new rules and keeping risk of spread to a minimum by our own behaviours, will we continue to control the spread of the virus, building on the hard work and sacrifices made by our communities.
“Although we are now seeing slightly fewer new cases every day than we were a couple of weeks ago, there are still significantly more new cases recorded every single day in South Gloucestershire than in the spring. There are more people requiring hospital treatment and more people needing to self-isolate.
“It is OK to be pleased that we have made some progress, but it is not OK to relax and go back to the way things used to be.
“While Tier 3 allows us to do some more of the things we like, you must not meet with people you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, indoors, or gardens. In outdoor places, such as parks, beaches, the countryside or public gardens, you must not meet in a group of more than six people. This is the Rule Of Six you are already familiar with.
“At all times, continue to maintain hand hygiene and wear a face covering. While we are able to go out more and, for example, support local businesses, we must continue to do so responsibly. Follow guidance on the numbers allowed on premises, for example and do not be tempted to meet in larger groups than the rules allow.
“Working together we have done well. By continuing to work together we will continue to make progress towards a safe future for everyone.”
For full details of the rules in place for Tier 3, please see: Local restriction tiers: what you need to know – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
