Government could put Northampton into tier two within 24 hours despite reluctance, warns council leader

Town's infection rate significantly higher than rest of county but lower than national average
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Northampton could find out from the government if it is going into the second tier of coronavirus restrictions within 24 hours, according to the council leader.

The town's infection rate is now significantly higher than the rest of the county at 125.6 cases per 100,000 people last week - but that is significantly lower than the national average.

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Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn does not think the town should go into tier two but would not be surprised if the Joint Biosecurity Centre thought otherwise.

Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn on the virtual press conference today (Friday, October 23)Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn on the virtual press conference today (Friday, October 23)
Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn on the virtual press conference today (Friday, October 23)

"This remains a serious situation," he told a virtual press conference today (Friday, October 23).

"While we had some good news in some parts, this is really bad and Northampton being significantly higher than the rest of the county is really frightening.

"We're in tier one, we wait to see if there is any change from the government.

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"The oversight group is not asking to go into tier two and I think that's the right thing to do - I welcome the intelligence-based approach and giving people guidance."

The weekly press conference was dominated by speculation about whether Northampton or the wider county will enter the 'high' tier because of the current levels of Covid-19 cases.

Councillors decided earlier in the week not to ask the government to be moved up from tier one by balancing public health and preserving lives with the economy and liberty, Cllr Nunn said.

But ultimately the decision will be made by officials in London based on a range of factors including the area's infection rate, number of outbreaks and cases in vulnerable groups.

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Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Slough are the latest places to be moved into tier two, with many wondering why Northampton has not been yet when the infection rate is higher than Slough's.

Cllr Nunn said: "We wait to hear from the government, we could go like Coventry and we could hear in the next 24 hours, I wouldn't be surprised but we won't fight it."

Numerous recommendations have been made by Northamptonshire County Council to combat the spread of the virus, on top of the national restrictions.

These include only visiting care home residents and hospital patients in extreme circumstances, no sleepovers, socialising outside where possible, no car-sharing, not to watch sport and more.

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Director of public health Lucy Wightman urged residents to stick to the rules to prevent government intervention as it is not clear how places can go back down tiers.

Places in tier two are now eligible for government grants to support businesses affected by the restrictions after complaints about the lack of help compared to tier three areas.

Cllr Nunn admitted this did impact how the considerations for going into tier two and added work was ongoing to figure out how much the borough would need from Whitehall.

"[The grants] are a significant factor that will have a significant impact on future considerations but I don't think chopping and changing tier is the right thing to do," he said.

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"We've got to be careful not to have a knee jerk reaction - we take decisions after hearing from others like businesses where there is a great desire to comply and do whatever they can rather than see further restrictions."