Announcement expected today on Hartlepool entering Tier 3 covid restrictions

This week has seen the highest number of covid-related deaths since May on Teesside – with a cumulative total of 17 fatalities recorded so far.

Hartlepool council leader Shane Moore said he was angry about the position the town was facing, that the whole of the Tees Valley was being lumped together, and said he was sorry the hard work of people in the town in fighting the virus had been in vain.

Tees Valley council leaders met Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam on Thursday afternoon to discuss a move into the highest tier of covid restrictions.

It came after the Government requested that the Tees Valley move to Tier 3 on Wednesday night in response to concerns about hospitalisations and cases.

However, the briefing is understood to have been told it would take some time for covid legislation to be signed off in Parliament – with Mr Jenrick telling leaders it was likely Tier 3 measures would come into place on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam offered up a stark presentation to the panel – telling them of an increase in rates among older age groups on Teesside and the rate of positive cases “running hot”.

He is also understood to have said there had been a “very sharp increase indeed” of cases in Stockton – also pointing to “very sharp upswings” in patients in hospital beds across the region.

Meanwhile Mr Jenrick is believed to have told leaders action “needed to be taken urgently”.

Officials from the Government and councils are set to work together overnight to discuss restrictions “over and above” baseline Tier 3 measures.

It is understood an official announcement will then be made “before the weekend”.

Teesside sits in Tier 2 of restrictions at the moment – with mixing of households not allowed indoors and the rule of six applying to private gardens and outdoor spaces.

Tighter Tier 3 measures would see more pubs and bars close – however, the Government says restaurants and pubs that can serve “substantial meals” would be allowed to stay open.

The higher tier would also mean no mixing or households indoors or outdoors – including in private gardens.

But you may continue to see friends and family you do not live with in groups of six or less in certain outdoor public spaces, such as parks, beaches, public gardens and outdoor sports courts.

Another meeting is planned with Teesside council leaders on Friday afternoon – with an announcement about the detail on tier three restrictions expected before the weekend.

After the briefing, Cllr Lanigan said: “The Government informed us late last night of their intention to take the Tees Valley into Tier 3 restrictions.

“We have had an initial meeting with Ministers this afternoon where they again stressed this intention due to the current infection rate and the increased number of people being admitted to hospital with covid-19.

“We will be having further discussions tomorrow but nothing has been agreed.

“Our priorities remain the health and wellbeing of our residents, supporting businesses and saving jobs, and we will continue to press for the best possible outcome for the Tees Valley.”

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