Herefordshire prepares for tier one in one of restrictions review’s only positive stories

© Provided by The i A car crosses the English-Welsh border in rural Herefordshire – which has retained low case levels (Photo: Getty)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s changes today sent counties such as Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, along with other smaller areas, into Tier three.

These areas will now join London, and areas of the north east, north west, Yorkshire, and the Midlands in the stricter tier, with some areas in in tier three for a number of weeks.

Herefordshire, however, was an exception: the county bordering Wales was among a select group of counties to receive good news, and became the only place to move down to join Cornwall and the Isle of Wight in tier one, the level with the lowest amount of restrictions

© Provided by The i Health Secretary Matt Hancock giving a Covid-19 update to the House of Commons ( Photo /PRU/AFP via Getty Images)

In tier one, the rule of six applies both indoors and outdoors and pubs can stay open until 11pm, with last orders an hour before.

Some residents have been quick to welcome the relaxation in restrictions, and let some elements of normal life creep back in. A local non-league team, Hereford Lads Club FC, announced plans to expand service at a forthcoming game, writing on Twitter: “With the confirmation earlier today that Herefordshire has now been placed into tier one, this means the social bar can open from 12pm Saturday.”

© Provided by The i A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament’s Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock updating MPs on the status of the Coronavirus pandemic and the tiered restriction allocations, in a hybrid, socially distanced session at the House of Commons in London on December 17, 2020. (Photo by – / PRU / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, ADVERTISING PURPOSES – MANDATORY CREDIT ” AFP PHOTO / PRU ” (Photo by -/PRU/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s believed that around 38 million people will be living under tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, which equates to 69 per cent of the population. But health chiefs had noted how the the Herefordshire’s infection rates are “low compared to others” and that people’s compliance with health measures, such as wearing face masks, has “helped to reduce transmission”.

Herefordshire borders Wales, where hospitals are experiencing unprecedented strain and a new nationwide lockdown has already been announced.

Infection rates in Bristol and North Somerset are also well below the national average and the government responded by lowering their restrictions from tier 3 to tier 2. It’s something other areas are looking for the government to consider when reviewing the restriction again on the 30 December

Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones, Herefordshire’s acting director of public health, said: “I want to thank the residents of Herefordshire for their fantastic efforts in following the Covid-19 guidance and helping to reduce transmission of the virus.

“Although the county has moved into Tier 1, it is so important everyone remains committed to following the rules and going that extra mile to ensure the Covid-19 rates are kept as low as possible and, most importantly, that we protect our loved ones.

“The virus is still in our communities and infection rates can accelerate very quickly if people relax their behaviour. We still have a long way to go in the fight against this virus. Social distancing, wearing a face covering in most indoor public settings away from home, and regular handwashing are as important now as they were during the peak of the pandemic.

“Following the guidance is vital if we are to prevent a surge in cases during January and February.”