Somerset confirmed to be in Tier 2 ‘high’ category

Somerset County Council’s Leader, and Director of Public Health are urging people to show restraint as the Government’s new Covid-19 tier system was announced today.

Somerset will be placed in Tier 2 when national restrictions end on 2nd December. The Tier covers all four districts – Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Somerset West and Taunton – the area covered by Somerset County Council.

Leader of the County Council David Fothergill said, “Somerset has made tremendous efforts to combat coronavirus since the first lockdown in March. It’s been hard but our county has shown incredible community spirit and resilience over the past months.

“We need to harness that spirit again as we emerge from national restrictions and pull together to keep Somerset safe.”

Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health, said, “After a month of lockdown, we need to make sure all our efforts and sacrifices now stick and our rates don’t go shooting back up again. In order to enjoy Christmas safely with our loved ones, we have to be really careful over the next few weeks.

“We all need to adhere to the rules for Tier 2 in the lead up to Christmas and during the festive season. The all-important behaviours of Hands – Face – Space and isolating if you have symptoms are really crucial.

“Now is the time for everyone to act responsibly for two reasons. Firstly, if we all reduce our risk now, we reduce the chance of catching the virus and missing out on Christmas altogether due to having to self-isolate. Secondly, and importantly, if we reduce our own personal risk now, we reduce the risk of passing the virus on to any family or vulnerable people we may spend time with in the coming weeks. Now is the time for restraint and to act responsibly.”

Trudi Grant and David Fothergill are hosting an online Q&A event tonight (Thursday 26th November) to explain what the latest restrictions mean for local residents and answer any questions.

The live briefing will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams from 7pm. You’ll need to download the Microsoft Teams app before watching and use this link.

A single phone number is available for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support from their councils. The Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline number, 0300 790 6275, is open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm, offering a range of support – from help accessing food or medicines, to emotional and financial support, and employment, skills and business advice.

In Tier 2 the headline rules include:

Meeting friends and family: no mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six outdoors.
Bars, pubs and restaurants: pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and must close by 11pm.
Retail: open.
Work and business: everyone who can work from home should do so.
Education early years settings, schools, colleges and universities open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children, and childcare bubbles permitted.
Indoor leisure: open.
Accommodation: open.
Personal care: open.
Overnight stays: permitted with household or support bubble.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests for weddings, civil partnerships, wedding receptions and wakes; 30 for funerals.
Entertainment: open.
Places of worship: open, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.
Travelling: reduce the number of journeys you make and walk or cycle if possible. Avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble. Avoid travelling outside your area, or entering a tier 3 area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Further exemptions apply.
Exercise: classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but cannot take place indoors if there is any interaction between people from different households. Organised activities for elite athletes, under18s and disabled people can continue.
Residential care: covid-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits including contact).
Large events: sport, live performances and business meetings limited to 50% capacity or 2000 people outdoors (whichever is lower) and 50% capacity or 1000 people indoors (whichever is lower)