IT is vital people in Herefordshire follow the new coronavirus restrictions which come into force next week, the county's public health chief has warned.

Director of Public Health Karen Wright said that everyone in Herefordshire must follow the new rules for tier 2 areas.

From Wednesday, December 2, lockdown restrictions in England will be replaced with a three-tier system, with Herefordshire in the middle band.

Live updates as Herefordshire tier revealed

Across all tiers, Herefordshire Council said everyone must:

  • Wear a face covering in most indoor public settings, unless they have an exemption
  • Follow the rules on meeting others safely
  • Attend school or college as normal, unless they are self-isolating. Schools, universities, colleges and early years settings remain open in all tiers
  • Walk or cycle where possible, plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes when travelling

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There are 3 tiers for local restrictions. These are tier 1: medium alert, tier 2: high alert, and tier 3: very High alert

Herefordshire has been placed into Tier 2: high alert as the council said the county has been identified as an area with a higher or rapidly rising level of infection.

The following tier 2 restrictions will be in place:

  • You must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your 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 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
  • Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs
  • Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals with last orders at 10pm
  • Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
  • Places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies
  • Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies
  • Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
  • Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing
  • You can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

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Karen Wright, Herefordshire’s Director of Public Health said: “I want to say thank you to our residents and businesses who have continued to follow national guidance so we can limit virus transmission in our communities.

"As we leave lockdown, it is vital that we continue to follow the tier 2: high alert guidance for Herefordshire.

“Every social interaction is an opportunity for the virus to spread. We must continue to wash our hands, wear a face covering in indoor settings and limit the number of people we meet outside of our household and support bubble.

"By doing this, we can protect our friends, families and communities.”