Dear Residents
Please see an update from Staffordshire County Council.
This afternoon the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt. Hon Matt Hancock MP formally announced that following discussions, and in agreement with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the city will be subject to Tier 2 of the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions.
This is in response to the growing rate of Covid-19 rates in Stoke-on-Trent. As of 21st October 2020, the & day rate per 100,000 people was 191. Today, the Secretary of State confirmed that the 7-day rate in the city is now over 200, and the number of cases for the period 13-19th October now stands at 210.2 per 100,000 people.
The Tier 2 restrictions will come into effect as of 00:01hrs on Saturday 24th October.
The new restrictions apply to Stoke-on-Trent City Council area only and are not in force in the rest of the county. If the Government extends the area covered by the Tier 2 restrictions further, you will of course be notified of any changes.
The Tier 2 – High Alert Level rules are in addition to the existing Tier 1(Medium) restrictions and comprise the following additional measures:
- you must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or 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 outside, including in a garden, or other spaces like beaches or parks (other than where specific exemptions apply in law)
- businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
- certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am
- businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
- schools, universities and places of worship remain open
- weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees
- exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors. These will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport
- you can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
- People will be advised not to travel in and out of these areas.
These measures apply to the residents of Stoke-on-Trent, and it should be noted that they apply to residents of the city if they cross over into neighbouring or other local authority areas including those adjoining Stoke-on-Trent.