Council chief confident Warrington will remain in tier 2

WARRINGTON Borough Council’s Chief Executive Prof. Steven Broomhead is confident the town will remain in tier 2 next week despite national reports suggesting it is on a watchlist to move into a “very high alert” tier 3.

Professor Broomhead MBE, released a statement this evening saying: “The academic research bears no reality to the current coronavirus situation in Warrington. Our communities have worked hard to drive down case numbers in Warrington since we were placed into tier 2 by the government on 2 December.
“The government will make the decision about which tiers areas will be placed into next week, and we are confident that we will remain tier 2 as long as everyone is respectful of the rules. We need the people of Warrington to continue to follow the rules and remember the basics – hands, face, space – wash your hands often, wear a face covering when out and about, and maintain social distancing.”
While infection rates have come down considerably in recent weeks the local hospital figures are still higher than during the first wave, with a further five deaths reported today.
Meanwhile, the report from Kings College puts Warrington on a watchlist of four areas along with Buckinghamshire, Suffolks and Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.
The data has been collected from a Covid Symptom Study app, run by a group at King’s College London.
The Government will announce any proposed changes next Tuesday (Dec 15) with new restrictions coming into force the following Friday (Dec 18).
Tier 3 restrictions would mean indoor entertainment would have to close and bars and restaurants are only able to serve takeaway or click and collect.