RESTRICTIONS on household mixing in Leicester will largely continue unchanged, following the introduction of the Government’s new three-tier Local Covid Alert Level system.
From today (Wednesday 14 October), Leicester joins many other areas of the country in Tier 2 – the category for areas with higher levels of infection and where additional restrictions are required.
But after months of restrictions, there is some good news for people in Leicester.
Under the new system, people will be able to meet up with other households in a private garden – as long as no more than six people are present and social distancing is observed.
Mixing in any indoor setting with people you don’t live with – unless you are in a support bubble with them – is still not permitted.
Leicester’s director of public health Professor Ivan Browne said: “Although Leicester’s figures haven’t grown as fast as in some other areas of the country, our numbers are now higher than they were when we were locked down at the end of June – and they’re moving in the wrong direction.
“Our Tier 2 classification shows that this is no time to relax, and no time to let up.
“As winter approaches, and infection rates inevitably rise, we simply have to continue to follow the rules, if we are to succeed in reducing the spread of this highly contagious virus.
“People in Leicester have respected these restrictions for so long, but I would urge everyone in the city to stay strong and keep going during the difficult weeks and months ahead.”
People in Leicester can:
- meet up to five other people from outside their household in a private garden, keeping 2m apart
- meet up to five other people from outside their household in parks or open spaces, keeping 2m apart
- meet up to five other people from other households in a beer garden or other outdoor hospitality setting, keeping 2m apart
but
- You cannot visit family or friends inside their homes, unless you’ve formed a support bubble with them
- You cannot stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them
- You cannot meet up with anyone from outside your household inside a café, bar, restaurant, shop or any indoor setting, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them
As the Local Covid Alert Level in Leicester is ‘high’, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, and who were shielding until recently, are advised to have contact with as few people as possible.
Professor Browne said: “The fewer people you meet, the less likely you are to catch COVID-19.
“But anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable should continue to go out for some exercise with members of their household or support bubble, because the benefits of outdoor activity are significant.
“If you do choose to meet people from outside of your support bubble, please take all sensible precautions and only meet up outdoors – and only in a group of no more than six.”
More information for clinically extremely vulnerable people is available on the Government’s website
As infection rates continue to rise, everyone in Leicester should continue to:
- wear a face covering when required
- wash or sanitise their hands frequently
- follow social distancing rules
- work from home, if possible
- walk or cycle if possible – and avoid travelling on buses at peak times if possible
- follow the Rule of Six
- limit their contact with other people
- stay at home and get a test at the first sign of coronavirus by calling 119
Since 28 September, anyone who receives a positive Covid-19 test or is told to self-isolate by the NHS Test & Trace Service must self-isolate by law, with anyone failing to self-isolate when they are required to do so facing a fine of between £1,000 and £10,000.
Anyone with symptoms must self-isolate for 10 days, while anyone living in the same household as someone with symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days.
The latest figures for Leicester show that 602 people tested positive for coronavirus in the seven days to 8 October.
More information can be found at leicester.gov.uk/coronavirus or at gov.uk/coronavirus