New Forest to move to Tier 3 Covid restrictions from Boxing Day as rest of Hampshire shifts to Tier 4

THE New Forest is to be placed into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions from Boxing Day amid rising infection rates, the government has announced.

The move was announced by health minister Matt Hancock MP this afternoon. The New Forest is the only part of Hampshire the government has not placed into the highest category, Tier 4.

BCP and Dorset councils' areas will remain in Tier 2.

Today (Wednesday) the New Forest's case rate stands at 93.8 per 100,000 – making it the 30th lowest local authority area in the country.

There have been 169 fresh cases reported in the district in the last seven days.

Its rate is below that of the BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch, which stands at 145.7, with weekly new cases reaching 576.

The average case rate in England is 304.2. Across the Hampshire County Council area it is 178.6.

Several factors are considered when looking at the tier system. Along with headline infection rates, the government also looks at the infection rate in older people, the impact on the care sector and pressure on local hospitals.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis said it was “deeply disappointing”, adding: “According to data from Hampshire County Council from the last week of October to the first week of December, weekly deaths from all causes were lower than the average for the equivalent weeks over the past five years.

“It is therefore deeply disappointing that further restrictions are being imposed, unless the situation has drastically deteriorated locally over the past couple of weeks.

“Obviously the fact that the vaccination programme is now under way may have influenced the government’s decision making.”

Tier 3 means the New Forest will be officially designated as a “very high alert” area, and new, tighter restrictions apply.

They prevent people meeting with anyone socially outdoors or indoors – which includes homes and venues such as pubs and restaurants – they do not live with or is not part of their support bubble, unless a legal exemption applies.

However, you can see friends and family you do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) in some outdoor public places, in a group of up to six.

Those places include parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests, public gardens, allotments, outdoor sports courts and facilities and playgrounds.

In terms of support and childcare bubbles, people can form a support bubble with another household if they are the only adult in their household or an u18 living alone.

They can also do so if they live with someone who requires continuous care and there is no other adult living in the household, a child under one or a child under five with a disability.

Further exemptions apply that can allow people to meet in larger groups in public. They are listed on the government website at www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert

Dr Jane Horne, consultant in public health for BCP and Dorset council, said: “Our case numbers of people testing positive to Covid-19 are rising across both council areas.

"It is vital people follow all the rules set out by the Government so that we don’t see even further increases.

"We know that social mixing leads to higher transmission rates. I’d urge everyone to think carefully about meeting up with others this Christmas, particularly with those who are more vulnerable.

"Covid isn’t going away, and although priority groups are starting to be vaccinated, it will take a while before this has an effect and we can resume more normal activities.”

Cllr Nicola Greene, BCP Council cabinet member for Covid resilience and public health, said: "Not changing tier does not mean we can be complacent. It means we must continue making the efforts needed to contain the virus and protect the lives of those we care about, and ourselves.

"Coronavirus continues to spread in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Thank you to everyone for being responsible, staying home as much as possible, continuing with basic hands, face, space behaviours, and really limiting physical contact with those outside your household or support bubble.

"I know it is especially difficult to do that at this time of year, and do share the sadness of not being able to hug loved ones or even meet friends for a drink. But it really is vital that we keep going if we are to reverse the trend once again."