Coronavirus: Warrington to enter tier 3 lockdown restrictions
The town of Warrington in Cheshire is to be placed in the highest tier 3 level of coronavirus restrictions, the local council has announced.
Warrington joins Merseyside, Lancashire, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester under the most stringent of the government’s measures, forcing the closure of pubs and bars which do not serve food.
The tier 3 restrictions are expected to come into force on Thursday next week, when the 210,000 residents will be barred from meeting people from outside their households or support bubbles in any indoors location, in private gardens and at outdoor hospitality venues like beer gardens. Shops will remain open, and different households will be able to mingle in groups of no more than six in parks.
Residents will be advised not to travel outside Warrington and told to avoid staying overnight anywhere else in the UK.
Formal talks are also under way between the government and Nottinghamshire councils – including Nottingham itself – as well as West Yorkshire on a possible move from tier 2 to tier 3.
In a statement, Warrington Borough Council said it had secured a financial support package totalling £5.9m from the government, including £4.2m for business and employment support and £1.7m for public protection and enforcement.
More than 700 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the borough over the past week and eight people with infections have died at Warrington Hospital in the past two days.
Council leader Russ Bowden said: “Across Warrington, we have seen our case numbers remain stubbornly high, with more people being admitted to hospital and, upsettingly, more people being taken by the virus. As we approach winter, we need to take urgent action to drive down the number of coronavirus cases in our town.
“Whilst we would have ideally liked a little more funding support, ultimately I think we have secured a very good package that will support our businesses and communities as we continue to do all we can to bring case numbers down.
Warrington will be moving into tier 3 'very high risk' restrictions.
A package of financial support has been agreed and we will be sharing more information shortly.
Keep up to date at https://t.co/2JfNOPQ848 pic.twitter.com/FWAcVOx1JA— Warrington Borough Council (@WarringtonBC) October 23, 2020
“This has been a difficult decision but we need to prioritise the health of our most vulnerable and elderly people, and we also need to protect hospital capacity as far as possible.”
Alongside pubs and bars, betting offices, soft play areas and casinos in Warrington will be told to close. Gyms, fitness centres, beauticians, hairdressers and trampoline centres will remain open.
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