Tier 3 talks for North East to restart with Government on Monday
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Leaders in Northumberland, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham held a meeting on Thursday, October 29, where they agreed that their area did not need to step up a level.
The region is currently in Tier 2 with restrictions banning households from mixing in any indoor setting.
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Hide AdHowever, a move into Tier 3 would mean that pubs and bars will have to close down unless they are serving “substantial meals”, while residents would be prevented from making overnight stays in other parts of the UK or meeting up with people from other households in private gardens. Measures would come on top of current Tier 2 restrictions.
The decision by leaders on Thursday was based on data which showed that cases in the region are ‘plateauing.’
In a joint statement North East political leaders said: "Since we introduced restrictions on September 18, thanks to the collective efforts of the North East, we have seen the rate of Covid infections slowing down but sadly they are still too high.
“Action taken locally in September worked and has helped us to remain in Tier 2.
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Hide Ad"We have gone from being one of the areas with the worst rates of infection to being more in line with what is happening across the UK.”
Leaders called for more support from the Government which would include giving authorities control over test and trace along with greater enforcement powers.
The statement added: “Our engagement with the Government will continue to not only focus on these areas but also on what more needs to happen for infection rates to continue slowing.”
A meeting is expected to be held with the Government on Monday to discuss the Covid situation in the region.
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Hide AdIt comes as the Tees Valley region – which includes Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar – looks set to enter Tier 3 imminently, with further talks with the Government taking place on Friday to outline measures.
Hartlepool Borough Council leader confirmed on Thursday that the Government wants to place the whole of the Tees Valley under Tier 3 ‘as soon as possible’ meaning that Hartlepool will be among the areas subject to the toughest restrictions.
“MPs will be informed of the outcome later today but we are moving towards Tier 3.”