Derby to remain under ‘Very High’ COVID alert level

Published: 17 December 2020

The government has announced that Derby will remain under COVID alert level ‘Very High’ – often referred to as Tier 3 – restrictions, following a countrywide review of local tiers.

Areas placed under Tier 3 (the highest COVID alert level) are those with significant transmission within the community.

As well as following the national guidance to wash our hands, keep our distance and wear a face covering if we can, the ‘Very High’ restrictions mean:

• Meeting with friends and family: No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six in some outdoor public spaces (e.g. parks, public gardens).
• Hospitality: Bars, Pubs and Restaurants Hospitality is closed, with the exception of sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
• Shops: Retail, including ‘non-essential shops’ are able open.
• Working and business: Everyone who can work from home should continue do so.
• Education: Schools, colleges and universities can remain open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children, and childcare bubbles are also permitted.
• Leisure centres: Indoor leisure is permitted; however, group activities and classes should not take place.
• Travel: Should avoid travelling outside your area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Reduce the number of journeys where possible. Plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble.
• Sport: Adult sport can take place outdoors, but people should avoid higher-risk contact activity. Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with your household or bubble. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
• Residential care: COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits inc. contact).
• Hotels: Accommodation Closed (with limited exceptions)
• Overnight stays: Avoid staying overnight outside of your area, unless necessary for work or education.
• Weddings and funerals: Up to 15 guests permitted for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions not permitted.
• Entertainment: Indoor venues closed.
• Places of Worship: Open but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.
• Large events: Events should not take place. Drive-in events permitted.

Community support will be available to those who need it. Derby’s Community Hub can be contacted on 01332 640000. A text service is also available using 07774 333412.

All restrictions are monitored and evaluated by the government, Public Health England and local councils to ensure they are still necessary and appropriate for the area. A review of each local area tier placement will take place every two weeks.

The Government has confirmed plans to allow families and loved ones to spend time together over the Christmas period. Between 23 and 27 December, three households will be allowed to form a temporary "Christmas bubble". This will be allowed in all areas of the country, regardless of its local alert level.

The bubbles can mix indoors and stay overnight. The bubbles will be fixed, so you will not, for example, be able to mix with two households on Christmas Day and two different ones on Boxing Day. Full details are available on the Government website.

Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health, Derby City Council, said:

There have been strides made in Derby in recent weeks in reducing levels of COVID infection, but the reality is that it is still significant within our city.

Our ongoing fight against COVID, which now thankfully includes a vaccination programme and, soon, our local rapid testing roll-out, can only continue to succeed through the actions of our community as a whole.

This is even more important in the run-up to Christmas, as some of us may be forming a ‘Christmas bubble’. The risks involved with this need to be fully considered beforehand, and if we do decide to mix households we should take as many precautions as possible, such as ventilation and regular hand washing.

Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

We do understand that this news may be disappointing, but we will be working hard to ensure that our businesses and communities in general are as protected as possible against the impact of ongoing Tier 3 restrictions. There is always help available for citizens who find themselves in a difficult or vulnerable situation because of the pandemic.

While under these restrictions, we need to make sure that we do not lose sight of how important our individual part is in reducing transmission. The harder we work now to do the right thing for Derby, the less time we will hopefully need to be in tier 3.

Last week, the Council announced that it is preparing to roll out additional community testing. Derby City Council’s Public Health team will identify groups and COVID ‘hotspot’ areas that may benefit from increased testing in an effort to effectively identify more positive cases and ultimately reduce transmission in the area.

You can read more details about the system and what each tier entails on the government website.

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