Keep doing the right thing for Warwickshire is the joint message from Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police.
As Warwickshire enters Tier 3 restrictions, following the second national lockdown, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police are taking the time to remind residents to continue to do the right thing and control the spread of the virus.
With the ending of the second national lockdown, Warwickshire has entered Tier 3 restrictions to help it control its level of infections and the further spread of the virus. For residents, this means they can:
- leave their homes for any reason; meet others in parks and in public gardens subject to the rule of six and social distancing
- Visit non-essential shops, which are now allowed to open in time for the run-up to the festive period (Residents are encouraged to ‘shop local’ where possible, as independent traders have been amongst the hardest hit by eight months of restrictions)
- Hairdressers and nail bars are allowed to open
- Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools are all allowed to open,
- churches, synagogues, mosques and temples will be open for communal worship (but social distancing will apply)
- Organised outdoor sport will resume.
Although this is many more freedoms than have been able to be enjoyed during November, Warwickshire residents will not be able to:
- Meet other people in their home or garden;
- Visit pubs, bars or restaurants, which must regrettably stay closed (except to provide takeaway food and drink);
- Attend large organised events; and
- Visit Cinemas, clubs or other entertainment venues;
- Return to work places unless they absolutely have to and are unable to work from home.
Most importantly, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police would like to remind all residents that they MUST:
- Keep 2 metres social distance from other people not in their household or support bubble at all times. Where this is not possible, it should be 1 metre with extra precautions such as a face covering.
- Wear a Face-covering whenever they are out of their home and especially when in enclosed public spaces such as shops or on public transport.
- Wash or sanitise their hands regularly.
- Get tested – if they have any of the symptoms of Covid-19: New and persistent cough, loss or change in sense of taste or smell and/or a consistently high temperature.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Whilst I share the disappointment of all our residents at the fact that Warwickshire is today in the highest Tier of Covid-19 restrictions, I want to take the opportunity to say that now is not the time for despondency or anger at our current position. Now is the time for redoubling our efforts as a county to do the right thing for Warwickshire and continue to drive down our rates of infections.
“The rules we now face within Warwickshire, while not as restrictive as the second national lockdown that we have just left, are still tough and I want to thank you ALL for doing everything you have done so far for your families, for your friends and for your communities.
“To all our residents, I hope you will be able to enjoy some of the new freedoms, whether that be a meeting (socially distant of course) in the park with a couple of friends, a shopping trip or even just an overdue haircut. The things we have often taken for granted, now seem so precious!
“To all our businesses, It is great to see our high streets allowed to open again! Of course, this joy is tempered by the knowledge that for many of our local businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, this will not be possible and for those businesses that are struggling, I want to assure you that help is available.”
Warwickshire’s Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Franklin-Smith, said: “I join Cllr Seccombe in thanking all those in Warwickshire who continue to do the right thing and play their part in the fight against the virus.
“We know this is a difficult time for everyone, and that the move into Tier 3 restrictions brings with it frustrations as we all think through what this means for us, and our plans to enjoy time with family and friends.
“We have to remember that, while things do seem to be headed in the right direction, the virus still remains a threat and there is yet more for us to do as we continue to protect our communities and health services.
“Our officers will continue to play their part in the response to the pandemic with a proportionate and considered approach based on engaging with people to help them understand the rules and why they are in place. We will support the vast majority who follow the rules by ensuring those who deliberately put others at risk face consequences for their actions.”
For more information about Covid-19 in Warwickshire, visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirus