Thursday 26 November 2020
 When this period of national lockdown ends on Wednesday 2 December the government will re-introduce local restriction tiers.
These are different levels of restriction that will apply to different parts of the country, depending how prevalent coronavirus is and how rapidly it is spreading.
It's similar to the system we had before, but the tiers have been strengthened in order to try and prevent the sharper increase in the rate of infections, which led to the second national lockdown.
There are three tiers of local restrictions, and the government has decided that Devon is in 'Tier 2: High Alert', subject to parliamentary approval.
We've put together some information in this email about why that is and what it means we can and can't do when lockdown ends on Wednesday 2 December.
In this update:
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Tier 2: High alert - what does that mean?
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Devon reactions to government's tier announcement
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Why is Devon in Tier 2?
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What about Christmas?
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What's the plan for the rest of winter?
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Nightingale Hospital Exeter opens to COVID patients
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Join the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team
 Tier 2: High alert - what does that mean?
The government has decided that Devon will be under Tier 2 local restrictions when lockdown ends, subject to parliamentary approval.
It means that from Wednesday 2 December:
- You must not socialise with anyone indoors who is not in your household or part of your support bubble, at home or in a public space.
- If you are outside, you can meet in groups of up to six people from different households.
- Everyone who can work from home should do so.
- You should reduce the number of journeys you make, avoiding busy times and routes on public transport, and car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble. Walk or cycle instead if possible.
- Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality
venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10.00pm and must close by 11.00pm.
- Some businesses such as non-essential retail, leisure and sports venues can reopen providing they are COVID-secure.
- You must continue to follow Tier 2 restrictions if you travel to a Tier 1 area. You should avoid travel to a Tier 3 area other than where necessary, for example for work, education, medical treatment or to carry out caring responsibilities.
Full details of Tier 2 restrictions are available on the government's website.
 Devon reactions to Tier 2 announcement
The Leader of Devon County Council and Chair of the county's Local Outbreak Engagement Board, Cllr John Hart, and the Director of Public Health Devon (Designate), Steve Brown, have both given their reactions to the government's local restriction tiers announcement today.
Cllr Hart said:
"Devon has done well so far in keeping case numbers relatively low and I would like to thank everyone for their actions during the latest lockdown, so I'm disappointed that we have been placed in Tier 2."
He added that working with MPs and Team Devon partners: “I will be strongly lobbying the government to provide tailored support for our hard-hit hospitality industry, which is losing out significantly during what’s usually their most lucrative period.”
Steve Brown has described case numbers as ‘a real concern, particularly in the working age population and among older people.’ He said:
"Whilst the number of cases across Devon has stabilised, it is clear that the virus is still with us.
"Local cases were rising when previously in Tier 1 and it has only been through the additional restrictions and efforts of residents that we are now just starting to see a reduction in cases," he said. "Going into Tier 2 now gives us the best chance of continuing to keep a lid on cases, or even continuing to bring them down.
"We must not let down our guard over the next few weeks, nor throw caution to the wind over the Christmas period."
 Why is Devon in Tier 2: High Alert?
The national lockdown restrictions have helped bring coronavirus transmission back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressure on the NHS. But infection rates still vary across the country, so different approaches are needed for different regions.
When deciding which tier of restrictions should apply to which area, the government consider a number of factors.
These include how many people are testing positive for coronavirus across all age groups and, in particular, how many of those are over 60 years old and therefore more vulnerable to becoming severely ill.
They also consider the rate at which cases are rising or falling in the area and the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of the total number of tests taken.
It's also important to take into account the pressure on local NHS services, for example how many hospital beds are occupied and what the projected demand is likely to be over the coming weeks, as well as staff absences.
The tier allocations will be regularly reviewed by the government, the first being by Wednesday 16 December.
If these indicators are not improving, an area may be moved up a tier and if the trajectory improves, an area may move to a lower tier.
You can read more about how tiering decisions are made on the government's website.
 What about Christmas?
The festive period is traditionally a time spent with family and friends, but this year we won't be able to come together as we usually would.
The government is changing some social contact restrictions for a short period of time over Christmas to allow people to celebrate over the holidays, but we must all continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable.
You can find out more about forming an exclusive Christmas bubble with no more than three households on the government's website.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon (Designate) has warned that, even though restrictions will be relaxed a little, please remember that Christmas this year will not be normal. He said:
“It is really important that we continue to follow the measures that help keep us safe - social distancing, wearing face coverings when indoors in public spaces, and washing our hands properly and regularly.
"It’s a very, very high price to pay if we relax our guard during Christmas and into the New Year.
“I am sure that everyone would agree that we need to protect our loved ones, and particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
 What's the plan for the rest of winter?
The remarkable advances in vaccinations and treatments for coronavirus mean there could be an end in sight for the pandemic, but there's still winter to get through.
January and February are usually the hardest months for the NHS and when hospital wards are under the greatest pressure, so the government has set out how they plan to keep the virus under control and help bring life back to normal by spring.
The COVID-19 Winter Plan outlines steps the government will take to supress the virus, protect the NHS and the vulnerable, keep education and the economy going and provide a route back to normality.
It includes information about testing and treatment developments, preparations for a nationwide vaccine programme and the targeted approach to restrictions to control the virus as lockdown is lifted.
You can read the COVID-19 Winter Plan on the government's website.
 Nightingale Hospital Exeter opens to COVID patients
Exeter's NHS Nightingale Hospital will receive its first coronavirus patients today.
They are being transferred from the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), which is very busy.
The 116 bed hospital, built on a former retail site in Sowton, is designed to provide ventilated and non-ventilated care for patients with coronavirus.
It will be staffed by health and care staff from across Devon and will support the region's existing hospitals by providing extra capacity.
 Join the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team
A vaccine will be our best defence against coronavirus, alongside effective social distancing, wearing a mask and washing our hands.
While we don’t yet know which vaccines will be approved for use and when, the NHS is getting ready to deliver them as soon as they become available.
Vaccinating millions of people as quickly as possible – at the same time as keeping other vital services going – is a huge task and will require lots more staff.
To help ensure that the NHS is able to deliver the largest vaccination programme in its history without significantly impacting on other vital services, they are recruiting now to thousands of roles, including vaccinators and volunteers who can help ensure the safe and smooth running of vaccination services.
If you can help, the NHS needs you. Visit the NHS website now to join their vaccine team.
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