Hartlepool to stay in Tier 2 for now after council leaders talk to Downing Street

Councillor Shane Moore took part in a call on Friday (October 16) with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and a number of top Downing Street officials.

Hartlepool is to remain in Tier 2, the medium local lockdown category, but the situation will be reviewed next week.

Cllr Moore warned the town could face tougher restrictions and appealed to residents to follow the rules to get the virus down.

He said: "This afternoon, I’ve taken part in a positive call with Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and a number of senior Downing Street officials and after successful lobbying it was confirmed Hartlepool – at this stage – will not be moved from our current ‘high’ (tier two) Local Covid Alert Level.

“This was the first meeting of its kind and I welcome the news we are not being moved to the ‘very high’ (tier three) category so we have time to see if the current restrictions are working.

“The position will be reviewed again next week and I would appeal to residents across the Borough to continue to play their part and follow the rules in the hope we can get the virus under control.”

Council leaders from other local authorities in the Tees Valley and the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also took part in the call.

Downing Street is said to have taken the decision due to a flattening of the number of cases across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

Cllr Moore added: "If we don’t follow the rules, we could face tougher restrictions and I’m sure no one in Hartlepool wants us to face a situation where our businesses are ordered to close again.

“Please follow the Government’s rules to help stop the spread of the virus. Above all, you’ll be protecting yourself and the most vulnerable in our community, like nana and grandad.”

The rules for Tier 2 communities include not meeting socially with anyone you don’t live with (or are in a support bubble with) in an indoor setting including private homes, pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Family and friends can meet outdoors in a group of up to six people.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.