We need to act now to avoid Tier 2 restrictions
The rate of COVID-19 cases has now exceeded 130 cases per 100,000 and the numbers are still increasing. The city is on the cusp of a Tier 2 level which means tougher restrictions – no more than one household or support bubble meeting indoors, and only six outdoors. We can expect to enter Tier 2 within a matter of days if this trend continues. However, if we act now, we may be able to make a difference, so we hope alerting the city early enough will prevent us hitting Tier 2.
Most businesses are doing everything possible and feedback from the Health and Safety Executive shows good levels of compliance from our businesses. So far Plymouth has avoided tighter restrictions, but more than ever it is absolutely essential that we are all complying fully, being COVID aware and helping to stay out of Tier 2, protecting your business, your employees and the economy.
- Safe premises means social distancing, sticking to the rule of six where applicable, coverings on and sanitiser available, with good ventilation and clear information about how to comply
- Compliance is not optional – we need customers to follow our lead and keep safe
- If staff can work from home, they should; make it easy for them to do so
- Employees told to self isolate need and deserve your support – refer them to the help available if needs be:
More information and support on compliance is available here.
The government has recently given us further enforcement powers and while we only want to use them as a last resort, we will do so in order to protect our city. Action has already been taken against one licensed venue through a fixed penalty notice. Fines in excess of £10,000 can be levied so we hope we don’t have to take more action, as this is about stopping COVID-19, not penalising businesses.
Tier 2 will see all of our businesses affected by the limitations on households mixing indoors. I cannot stress how imperative it is everyone across the city understands the seriousness of COVID-19 and the consequences for our community. We must work together in order to protect our health, our NHS, our families, friends and our economy.
Much has been said about the impact of the restrictions – the actions we have been taking ARE working, as we can see from the level of R, but more needs to be done. The R rate before we had any restrictions was 2.5 to 3; it dropped below 1 during the spring, and remained low in the summer. It is currently at 1.3 and we need to get it back down.
Help and Support
How can we help you?
We understand that everyone will have different needs or concerns and it is important for the Public Health Team to be able to address those, equipping everyone with the support they need in order to keep Plymouth safe.
Part of our current insight work is looking how we can better help people across the city; if there is anything that we can provide which will benefit the business community, please share these with us: COVID19@plymouth.gov.uk. You can also contact us with any queries you have too.
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