‘Expect Tier 3’: Leader of Northampton Borough Council fears move to higher restrictions ahead of tier review

The leader of Northampton Borough Council is warning residents to ‘expect Tier 3’ ahead of the Government’s tier review next week.

On Wednesday (December 16), Boris Johnson and his cabinet will review the tier each area across the country is currently in and decide whether any changes need to be made.

Speaking at the weekly Northamptonshire Covid-19 press briefing today (December 11), Councillor Jonathan Nunn, says he believes a move to the highest tier is a ‘strong possibility’ due to the high infection rates in Northampton, specifically.

The town’s infection rate is 197.7 per 100,000 of the population, which is significantly higher than the average across England.

Cllr Nunn said: “I have no prior knowledge of tiers at this stage, but just look at those numbers.

“We almost have to be ready to expect it as there is a very strong possibility.

“Certainly for us in Northampton with our trend on the graph having kicked up so dramatically, we really have to be ready for it and that would be a rotten, rotten shame.

“Everything we do everyday, every single resident, every single business, we have got to be incredibly careful to make sure we are at least seen to be doing everything.

“We know it’s not a cold, hard numbers related decision and we know that hospital occupancy and many other factors play a part.

“We also hope that where we are seen to be doing everything we possibly can to keep on top of the virus by the precautions that people are taking, when Government people come to visit our town they observe this and there is some belief that perhaps that has an influence too.

“We know we are in trouble where the numbers are going and we have just got to be pressing on with all the precautions and be as careful as we possibly can to avoid Tier 3, I don’t know if we have got a chance of that but I certainly hope we have.”

A move to Tier 3 would see pubs and hospitality settings having to shut their doors once more.

Cllr Nunn also confirmed that he would ‘anticipate a very modest amount of advance notice’ on any tier news, although it has not yet been confirmed when this announcement will take place.

Find out more about what happened at this week’s Covid-19 press briefing here.

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