Local MPs call for Devon to be placed in Tier 1 as lockdown ends

MPs from across Devon are united in their relief that England's second national lockdown won't be extended – and all are calling for the county to be placed into the lowest tier of restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Commons on Monday that the three-tiered regional measures will return from December 2 and the lockdown will end, but he added that each tier will be toughened.

Areas are expected to find out what tier they are in on Thursday and the allocation of tiers will be dependent on a number of factors, including each area's case numbers, the reproduction rate – or R number – and the current and projected pressure on the NHS locally.

Tier allocations will be reviewed every 14 days, and the regional approach will last until March.

With new coronavirus cases across the county dropping, Devon's MPs feel that the area should be placed in Tier 1 with the least restrictions.

In terms of people who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, Devon currently has the lowest rate per 100,000 population of anywhere in England.

Neil Parish, the Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said that he hoped and wanted the region to be placed in the lower tier of restrictions, and that the vaccine news was light at the end of the tunnel.

He commented: "On Thursday, of course I want us to be in the lowest possible tier of restrictions, because it means we are doing well at combatting the virus here in the West Country.

"The news today about the Oxford vaccine is more light at the end of the tunnel, increasing the chances that we can get out of coronavirus restrictions sooner. I am glad we are returning, next week, to a local tiered approach, but the virus hasn't gone away yet and we all need to be vigilant this winter.

"I want our businesses to be open and thriving and for people to have safe working and social environments to enjoy. However, even if we are in a higher tier than before, I am particularly pleased to see that places of worship will be open across all tiers, as will recreational sports, and retail too. This is a welcome change – and I think people can look forward to safer, brighter Christmas, after the tough month we have all endured."

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: "We should welcome the move from national to local restrictions. We must safely re-open businesses forced to close to help protect jobs and our economy. Devon should be in the lowest tier of restrictions to reflect the hard work and significant sacrifices we've made to suppress the virus.

"We must safely re-open businesses forced to close to help protect jobs and our economy. And, as an example, I spoke this week in Parliament about gyms and leisure centres being closed for this period. Can we be certain that closing them to limit coronavirus transmission is worth it on balance? Hundreds of East Devon residents contacted me saying their closure is physically and mentally detrimental to their wellbeing.

"Behind all the charts and graphs, there's a very real social side to lockdown that no amount of financial supports schemes – however welcome – can replicate. And if we are to consider tighter restrictions again, the government must publish stronger evidence that they protect more lives than they harm."

Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter, said that it was hoped that the area would be in Tier One, but that the government must publish the scientific basis for the restrictions in the various tiers, if it wants to regain public trust and compliance with the rules.

He said: "Of course, the hope must be that Exeter and Devon are in Tier One, but it is essential that the Government publishes a clear set of criteria for each Tier and for moving between them. The last three tier system did not work and the government refused to implement an earlier circuit breaker, which is what led to the current four week national lockdown.

"The government must also publish the scientific basis for the restrictions in the various tiers, if it wants to regain public trust and compliance with the rules. It would be awful if, by making the wrong decisions now, the government has to tighten restrictions again over Christmas and New Year, just when families are looking forward to the chance of getting together."

Subject to approval by MPs, the new tier system will take effect on Wednesday, December 2. Areas will find out which tier they are to be placed in on Thursday, before a vote on the new measures will take place, likely to be on Monday.

WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES?

All tiers:

• The tiers will have a uniform set of rules, there will be no negotiations by different regions

• Everyone should work from home if they can

• Shops and personal care services can open

• Early years settings, schools, colleges and universities remain open

• Registered childcare, other supervised activities for children and childcare bubbles allowed

• Indoor leisure – gyms and swimming – can open

• Elite sport, under-18 sport and disabled sport can continue

• Police will get new powers to close down premises breaking the rules

Tier 1:

• Households can mix inside and outside, but the rule of six applies

• Bars, pubs and restaurants must be table service only, last orders at 10pm, closing by 11pm

• Entertainment can reopen

• Avoid travel into Tier 3 areas

• Overnight stays permitted with your household/bubble, or up to six people from different households

• All accommodation can reopen

• Places of worship can reopen but more than six people from different households cannot interact

• Weddings, civil partnerships and wakes can have 15 guests

• Funerals can have 30 guests

• Exercise classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but rule of six indoors

• Elite sporting events, live performances and large business events can take place with 50% capacity, or 4,000 people outdoors/1,000 indoors (whichever is lower) – social distancing applies

Tier 2:

• No mixing of households indoors apart from support bubbles – rule of six outdoors

• Pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants, and hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals

• Last orders at 10pm, close by 11pm

• Reduce the numbers of journeys made and avoid travel into Tier 3 areas

• Overnight stays permitted with your household or support bubble

• Accommodation open

• Places of worship open but people cannot interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble

• Weddings, civil partnerships and wakes can have 15 guests

• Funerals can have 30 guests

• Exercise classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but not indoors if there is any interaction between different households

• Elite sporting events, live performances and large business events can take place with 50% capacity, or 2,000 people outdoors/1,000 indoors (whichever is lower) – social distancing applies

Tier 3:

• No mixing of households indoors or most outdoor places – rule of six in outdoor spaces such as parks and sports courts

• Hospitality venues closed, except for takeaway, drive-through or delivery

• Indoor entertainment venues closed

• Avoid travelling outside the area other than where necessary, including foreign travel

• No overnight stays outside local area, unless necessary for work, education or similar reasons

• Accommodation closed (with limited exceptions such as work purposes)

• Places of worship open but people cannot interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble

• Weddings, civil partnerships and wakes can have 15 guests – but no wedding receptions allowed

• Funerals can have 30 guests

• Exercise classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but avoid higher-risk contact activity

• Group exercise and sports indoors should not take place, unless with household/bubble

• Elite sporting events, live performances and large business events banned but drive-in events permitted.