Staffordshire on medium alert in new three tier system for local lockdown

Residents and businesses are being called on to redouble their efforts against Covid-19, after a new three tier system of Covid-19 restrictions was announced.

The three alert levels of “medium, “high” and “very high” will see restrictions tighten with each level.

Only the city of Liverpool is currently classed as very high with pubs, gyms and leisure centres closing from tomorrow.

Staffordshire is at a medium alert level.

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said: “Covid-19 is tightening its grip everywhere, including in Staffordshire where cases are rising fast in parts of the county.

“We have worked hard as a county to protect the vulnerable and we continue to act swiftly to contain outbreaks to help reduce the risk to both lives and livelihoods.

“But the situation in Liverpool is a stark reminder of what could happen here if we don’t act now, so we are asking people of all ages to redouble their efforts to help keep Staffordshire safe.

“Complacency is Covid-19’s biggest friend and the consequences of not sticking to the rules are now in our own hands.”

Cases in parts of the county are rising

While Staffordshire as a whole remains below the national rate of infection, Newcastle-under-Lyme is running at a rate of 146 cases per 100,000 people, above England’s rate of 141.1, the West Midlands rate of 109.8 and Staffordshire’s rate of 104.8.

This is in part due to an outbreak among Keele University students and staff, which has seen almost 70 people test positive in the last couple of weeks.

How to stop the spread

As Staffordshire is on medium alert this means no extra county-wide guidance is in place. Local county council advice remains in force in parts of Burton only.

The national guidance for areas on medium alert includes:

Good hygiene and social distancing: Wash your hands regularly and keep your 2m distance
Meeting with friends and family: Limit your contact. If you do need to meet up, limit this to no more than six from multiple households. There are exceptions, for example if your household or support bubble is larger than six
Going to work: You should work at home if possible
Education: Schools, nurseries and universities are open
Leisure: Pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm
Face coverings: Must be worn in shops and on public transport
Test and Trace: You must stay in and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus if you have symptoms. If positive you must stay in for 10 days. Anybody who you have been in close contact with must self-isolate for 14 days.

Keep up to date with the latest news and how Covid-19 is affecting where you live or work at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus