GOVERNMENT COVID CRITERIA SUGGESTS TIER 3 WILL CONTINUE FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Published 11 December 2020 at 12:00am

Next Thursday (17 December) the Government will confirm the tiering restrictions for the Christmas break. Data shows that it is highly likely that South Yorkshire will continue in Tier 3.

Commenting, Mayor Dan Jarvis said:

“Four of the five key indicators for areas moving out of Tier 3 are still too high in South Yorkshire. Our NHS services remain under massive pressure. Over 600 people are currently in our region’s hospitals with Covid, with more being admitted every single week. It is imperative that we avoid a devastating third wave in January and put more lives put at risk – just at the point that a vaccine is being rolled out. It’s likely, therefore, that the Government will decide to keep South Yorkshire in Tier 3 next week.

“I’d reiterate that this decision lies solely with national government. Mayors and Council Leaders are still not being consulted or involved in any meaningful way in the decision-making process. These are decisions taken about us, not with us or by us – which is enormously frustrating and makes a mockery of the Government’s professed commitment to devolution.

“Whatever the Government decide, I’ll continue to work around the clock with our local council leaders, Directors of Public Health and our NHS to ensure that we get out of Tier 3 as quickly and as safely as possible.

“I know the enormous challenges this will pose for our businesses, which is why we’re providing support for those severely affected by the restrictions through our Additional Restrictions Grant, making every pound go as far as possible to help those who have fallen through the cracks of national schemes. I’d urge eligible businesses to apply for those funds, and I’ll keep on fighting for the additional support and resources our businesses, supply chains and regional economy needs to weather the storm of this awful disease.

“There is now light at the end of the tunnel, with a vaccine already being rolled our across the country. But until we can ensure enough people have received the vaccine, the threat remains. We must all adhere to the guidance and do our bit to save lives and livelihoods. We are in the home stretch, but we must ensure that we all make it to the finish line.”

Restrictions have worked to bring down infection rates across the four local authorities in South Yorkshire, and that is hugely encouraging news. However, infection rates are just one of five key indicators used by the government to inform decisions on tiering.

The other indicators are:

1. New infection rates across all age groups
2. New infection rates in the over 60s
3. The rate by which cases are rising or falling
4. The percentage of those tested in local populations with COVID
5. Pressures on the NHS(mainly measured by number of beds occupied)

Indicators 2-5 are not falling fast enough, or remain dangerously high, meaning that it is highly likely that the Government will decide to keep South Yorkshire in Tier 3 on 17 December.