East Riding of Yorkshire Council - COVID-19 Tier Announcement

Residents of the East Riding are being urged to follow new COVID-19 safety guidance from next Wednesday (2 December) with the news that the area will move into Tier 3 (Very High) when the national restrictions end.

The Government has today announced that the East Riding, along with Hull and many other nearby areas, will all be in the highest of the three-level restrictions system.

Ministers have made decisions on which areas are in which tiers based on factors such as how quickly infection rates are rising or falling, the ratio of positive tests and the current and projected pressure on the NHS.

Some of the key aspects of Tier 3 restrictions are:

• No mixing of different households indoors or outdoors, including hospitality venues and private gardens.
• The rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces, such as parks.
• Pubs and restaurants closed, except for take-away and delivery services.
• Indoor entertainment venues closed.
• Accommodation, such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites and guest houses, must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training.
• Guidance against travelling in and out of Tier 3 areas.
• Personal care, such as hairdressing, is allowed.

The tier restrictions will come into effect from the beginning of Wednesday, 2 December (00.01). Until then, the national restrictions will remain in place. The Government has said it will review tier allocations by 16 December.

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said the authority would continue to do everything it can to keep supporting local people and businesses through the pandemic.

He said: “This has been such a long battle against COVID-19 since March and we have seen a number of different phases of restrictions on our daily lives but I’m confident the people of the East Riding will again respond with the right attitude and a determination to do the right thing.

“The vast majority of our residents and businesses have been fantastic in their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 and in supporting each other through this pandemic. We’re asking you now to keep responding positively as we move into this new phase and to do what is being asked of you so that we can return to some kind of normality as soon as possible and as safely as possible.

“We know some residents, along with business owners, managers and workers, will be frustrated with this news and we know there will be understandable concern about the situation but we will continue to do all we can to protect and support our most vulnerable residents, to suppress the spread of this virus and to save lives.

“While dealing with the huge challenges COVID-19 presents, we will also do our utmost to continue to provide essential services to our local communities and we’re again asking you to keep demonstrating that brilliant #TogetherEastRiding public spirit to get through this.”

Councillor Burton said the council would keep helping residents and businesses with a range of support and advice, from financial aid to health and wellbeing services.

He also said: “There are reasons for optimism. More is now known about COVID-19 than at the start of the pandemic and good progress continues to be made in terms of vaccine development and the use of therapeutics to aid in treatment.

“With these developments and our continued determination to get through this together, I’m confident that the light at the end of the tunnel will shine on an East Riding which is a fantastic and safe place to live, work, shop, learn, play, invest and visit.”

Andy Kingdom, director of public health for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, urged residents to keep following the council’s 3 Steps To Safety: Prevent. Notice. Act. 

He said: “Handwashing, respecting social distance, ventilating inside spaces and wearing face coverings, unless you are exempt, are simple but extremely effective ways people can help to prevent the spread of the virus. 

“Equally important are always noticing when you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms and immediately acting by self-isolating and getting tested as soon as possible. 

“If people do these basic things correctly, then they can suppress the spread of the virus and not only protect themselves but protect their loved ones and ultimately save lives.”

Further information about the Tier 3 restrictions and what you can and cannot do, along with advice about helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and what support is available to residents and businesses, is available at www.eastriding.gov.uk/3stepstosafety 

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 – either a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - you should self-isolate immediately and then request a test as soon as possible at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.