‘Tier 2 is virtually inevitable’: Leader of Northampton Borough Council on new lockdown system

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Northamptonshire, questions are being raised about the new tiered lockdown system and whether the area is classified correctly.

Speaking at the weekly Covid-19 press briefing, the leader of Northampton Borough Council made it clear that he believes a move to the 'High Tier', or Tier 2 - which would see a ban on indoor household mixing - is inevitable with the latest data for the county.

In the week up to October 11, there were a total of 701 new cases across the county and in the week from October 2 to October 8, cases per 100,000 of the population in Northampton reached 106.

Councillor Jonathan Nunn said: “What a dreadful situation we face.

“This must be the second wave and it’s devastating to see these numbers grow.

“We’re now left with the most rotten balancing act between people’s safety and preservation of life and economic consideration with people’s jobs and the ability to pay their bills, and people’s liberties.

“Everyone is to follow the guidance at every opportunity.

“Businesses have to be bold. They should turn people away if they are not being compliant and people should stay away from businesses if they aren’t complying.”

Councillor Nunn welcomed the new tiered system of lockdown and was content with the grading the county was given.

However he has also made it clear that he expects a local move to Tier 2 to be inevitable.

He added: “The three tier situation brings certain clarity to the situation.

“I feel reasonably happy with Tier 1 being the right one, but there is a danger of complacency.

“We have to accept we are where we are, but the way the numbers are going it is virtually inevitable that we will move to Tier 2.

“We don’t have any information or a decision on that. It is very much a ticking time bomb.

“The thing that will stop us is efforts from businesses and residents.

“We are far better to stay well within the guidelines rather than abuse or over use them."

This week, Essex County Council made an application to the Government to be moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2 after bosses felt the measures were not strict enough. The move was granted and the county is now in the higher tier.

With cases rising in Northamptonshire too, it has been put to our leaders whether they would consider following suit.

“We will not seek to be put up a further level but we will make sure everyone is fully aware that there is a risk that we could be put in that level by the Government,” Councillor Nunn continued.

“I am never going to rule it out but now it is not the time to judge when we would do it.

“It is possible that we come to the same conclusion and the same time as the Government.”

Find out what else was said in the briefing here.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you