South Yorkshire to enter Tier 3 from Saturday, Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis announces

South Yorkshire is moving into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, the mayor of Sheffield city region has announced.

Dan Jarvis said the area will move to the strictest Tier 3 level from midnight on Saturday after local leaders secured £41m funding from government.

Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick tweeted to thank Labour mayor Mr Jarvis after the government failed to secure a similar deal with Manchester.

The announcement means that around 1.4 million people in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, will come under the new restrictions this weekend.

Mr Jarvis said the decision had "not been taken lightly" but local leaders agreed that without action the population and health services were "at risk".

He said the number of people with coronavirus in local hospitals had "doubled over the last ten days" and that "inaction was not an option".

As well as the ban on households mixing indoors, pubs and bars will have to shut from midnight on Saturday, as well as betting shops, casinos and soft play areas. However, gyms and leisure centres will be able to stay open.

Mr Jarvis added: "We all recognise the gravity of the situation and have taken the responsible route to ensure we save lives and livelihoods, and protect our NHS.

"More older people are contracting the virus. The number of people with Covid in our hospitals has doubled over the last ten days, with no signs this will relent over the coming weeks. Inaction was not an option.

"We called on government to offer a local lockdown lifeline for our local authorities and economy, and the new restrictions will be introduced alongside resources which mean we are better equipped to control the virus and limit some of the damage on jobs and businesses."

He said infection rates vary across South Yorkshire but collective action was the only "practical choice" to keep everyone in the region safe.

Mr Jarvis said it was "critical" people in South Yorkshire follow the new restrictions as soon as they are in place.

He added: "The character and grit of people in South Yorkshire will be needed in abundance to help us get through what will be an incredibly challenging period.

"Our NHS staff have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to keep us all safe. We owe it to them to ease the pressure ahead of the toughest winter our health service will ever face. I know people will step up and do their bit."

Sheffield City Region said earlier that there had been "extensive and constructive talks" with the government.

The agreed financial package of £41m includes £30m for businesses and £11m for local public health measures such as contact tracing.

Communities Secretary Mr Jenrick said the restrictions would only be in place for as long as they are "absolutely necessary" and would be reviewed in 28 days time.

The area will become the fourth region in England to enter the strictest Tier 3 measures, following Liverpool City Region, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

It comes after a major row in which the government was unable to come to an agreement with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham on the region moving into Tier 3.

The government has offered Greater Manchester £60million to support businesses and employees but local leaders want at least £65million.

Other areas known to be in discussions with the government about the possibility of being moved to Tier 3, include the North East, West Yorkshire, Teeside and Nottinghamshire.

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