Sheffield, along with Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham will move into the ‘Very High’ alert level for restrictions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus on Saturday 24 October.
The government had recently introduced local COVID alert levels in a bid to ensure “the right levels of intervention in the right places to manage outbreaks” . Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area. Local COVID alert levels are sometimes called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’.
Sheffield was originally placed in the ‘High’ category (tier two) but has now been moved to ‘Very High’ ( tier three ) due to the continued high level of cases across the region and increasingly concerning levels of hospital admission . So for the immediate future people must ( in brief ):
*not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of your household or support bubble.
A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home or a household with a single parent living with children who were under 18 on 12 June 2020 (known as a single-adult household ) and one other household of any size.
*not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space
*try to avoid travelling outside the ‘Very High’ alert level or entering a ‘Very High’ alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey.
*follow the rules on wearing face masks and advice on car sharing.
*avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK.
*not visit care homes except in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit someone who is at the end of their life.
In addition:
Pubs and bars will close and will only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant – which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They will only be able to serve alcohol as part of such a meal. Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am. Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises, can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.
Closures will include: Betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres. Gym classes will not be allowed (but gyms will remain open).
You can find out more details on Sheffnews or GOV.UK .
Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, outlines Sheffield’s position now it has been categorised as a ‘Very High’ alert area and he explains the Tier 3 definitions and restrictions here .
Easy Read information is available from Spreading the News .
