STAY AT HOME FROM MIDNIGHT AS LONDON MOVES INTO TIER 4 TOMORROW because OF A NEW COVID-19 VARIANT THAT HAS SEEN A SURGE OF INFECTIONS - AND POSITIVE CASES RISE
FROM MAYOR ROKHSANA FIAZ
SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER 2020
Dear Newham Resident,
This afternoon the prime minister announced a new raft of measures as part of a new stricter Tier 4 for London, most of the south and east of England; alongside restrictions on Christmas mixing for the whole of England.
The dramatic announcement comes after significant increases in the transmission of Covid-19 and cases that continue to rise. Earlier today, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, announced that the UK had alerted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to a new strain of the virus that could spread quicker than previous strains following modelling by experts. The new variant of the virus is potentially 70 percent more transmittable according to early data and, while there is currently no evidence that it has higher or lower mortality rate, or is more resistant to the vaccine – at the moment the experts don’t know.
In England, only households living outside a Tier 4 area will be allowed to mix for Christmas – and only on Christmas Day, with long-distance travel being discouraged. The new stricter Tier 4 measures will be in place till at least the 30th December, at which point they will be reviewed.
So what do the Tier 4 restrictions entail? Firstly, everyone must stay at home; and no household mixing will be allowed – unless you live with them or they are part of your existing support bubble (such as supporting you with childcare). You won’t be able to meet with any other people indoors, including over the Christmas period. In addition to that:
- You will only be able to meet with one other person outdoors
- All non-essential shops including hairdressers, clothing retailers, leisure and entertainment venues must remain closed
- Only shopping for food, essential household items and medicine will be allowed, and people will be able to attend medical appointments too
- If you are not able to work from home, you will be able to travel to work – but most people are being encouraged to work from home
- For those working, you are encouraged to work from home
- Those deemed ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ should not go to work and should limit time outside of their homes
- People who need to travel for education or childcare will be exempt and exercise will be unlimited
- People living in a Tier 4 area must not stay overnight from home, and are not allowed to travel abroad
Read details of the Tier 4 restrictions here.
Of course, all of this means that we are all going to need to change whatever Christmas plans we had, to limit the risk and keep all of us safe.
I’ll keep you updated on further developments and changes to council services, but keep an eye out for any immediate updates by visiting the Council’s website at www.newham.gov.uk.
In the meantime, please stay at home and stay safe.
Best wishes,
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE
Mayor of Newham