Council clears up confusion on COVID-19 restrictions as hospital sees surge in admissions

WHILE Warrington has been classified as an area of “High Risk” the new restrictions are slightly different than under the “local lockdown” with the rule of six allowing people to meet in gardens.

Warrington Borough Council has alerted members of the public to the change following confusion when Warrington was placed in the Tier 2 High Risk category by the Government last night.
The slight change in restrictions has surprised a number of people on social media with the town’s hospital facing a surge in COVID-19 admissions.
While Warrington & Halton Hospital had no COVID-19 deaths between July and August – it has now had eight in the last week alone.
The town’s hospital once again became the centre of national media attention with the intensive care unit almost full. As of yesterday, there were only two empty beds left and soon extra capacity will be needed.
The hospital is currently continuing elective treatments at its COVID-safe site, but if infections and admissions keep rising as they are now, the health service will again have to make very difficult choices.
Dr Alex Crowe, medical director at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is full of praise for his team.In a special Sky News report he described his doctors and nurses as “tenacious” and “resilient”, two characteristics they will have to possess in abundance if they are to make it through the looming crisis.
Dr Crowe says it feels like “we very much are back to where we were earlier this year”.
He told Sky News “I think we are much more prepared than we were so we understand the needs and the interventions that are required for patients that present with COVID,” he says.
Meanwhile explaining the logic behind the change in restrictions for the town, Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “The Government has faced criticism that rules are complicated and different in all parts of the country. We’re now all operating under this three tier system.
We are trying to simplify with a consistent approach and it does mean a slight relaxation in one or two areas – but social distancing and rule of six apply still.”
To see the full list of restrictions CLICK HERE

CLARIFICATION: Thank you to everyone who raised the important question of whether people can now meet in gardens. We've updated our guidance online to reflect that you are now allowed to meet in private gardens, subject to the 'rule of six'. More info: https://t.co/YGtHCfF1P5

— Warrington Borough Council (@WarringtonBC) October 13, 2020