Guildford Among Surrey Areas Classed As Tier 3, Very High Covid Alert Level

Published on: 17 Dec, 2020
Updated on: 17 Dec, 2020

Most of Surrey is now Tier 3, ‘very high risk’. Image SCC

Guildford and most of Surrey moves into Tier 3, the very high Covid alert level, from (0001hrs) December 19, due to rapidly rising infection rates. Of all districts and boroughs, only Waverley remains in Tier 2.

Movement between Waverley (including Godalming, Farnham and Haslemere) and the rest of the county, including Guildford borough, should now be restricted. The tiers are not due to be reviewed again until December 30 [CORRECTION: this date was previously given as January 30, as initially stated by SCC].

The decision is based on several indicators, not just the overall infection rate but the rate in the over-60s, and pressure on the NHS.

Tier 3 means:

• You can mix households (in groups of up to six) only in outdoor spaces, such as parks and the countryside, not in private gardens;
• All hospitality venues such as bars, pubs and cafés must shut, or stay open only for takeaway;
• Indoor entertainment venues, such as theatres and cinemas, must close; and
• Accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs, must close.

These are in addition to existing guidelines that state you must not mix with anyone you don’t live with (or who aren’t in your support bubble) in any indoor setting.

Residents in Waverley should continue to follow Tier 2 rules. Those in Tier 3 should avoid travelling outside their area, including for overnight stays, other than where necessary, such as for work, education or medical treatment.

Tier restrictions Image: gov.uk

They should also continue to follow Tier 3 rules if they travel to an area in a lower tier and must not stay with anyone they do not live with elsewhere in the UK, or visit their home (unless they share a support bubble).

Everyone in Surrey should continue to follow guidance on wearing face coverings, social distancing, and working from home when possible. If you can’t work from home you should walk or cycle where possible, or try to avoid busy times on public transport.

Cllr Tim Oliver

Tim Oliver (Con, Weybridge), leader of Surrey County Council, said: “The government has taken the decision to put most of the county under further restrictions because of much higher rates of infection. I know this will be very disappointing news for residents and businesses in our Tier 3 areas, after an exceptionally difficult year.

“But we need to take swift action to save lives and stop our crucial NHS services from being put under even more pressure. We all need to be extremely vigilant, including residents in Waverley, as the situation can change quickly and we want to prevent them going into Tier 3 in the new year.

“With the Christmas bubbles coming up on December 23, please make sure you understand and follow the guidance, to protect your loved ones and prevent even higher infection rates.

“There is hope on the horizon with the rollout of the vaccine across the county, starting with the over-80s. But it will take time and we cannot let our guard down. The coming weeks will be a challenge to us all, but it is crucial we reduce the spread of this virus and get through the winter as safely as possible.”

Tier restrictions Image gov.uk

Further information:

A daily update of coronavirus data in Surrey is published here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus/alert-levels-and-local-outbreak-plan/figures-and-statistics/daily-data

A more in-depth analysis of Surrey’s coronavirus data is published twice-weekly here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus/alert-levels-and-local-outbreak-plan/figures-and-statistics/bi-weekly-coronavirus-summary-for-surrey

Between December 23 to 27, people in Surrey will be able to make a Christmas bubble with friends and family: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family

For full details of what you can and cannot do in Tier 3, very high alert: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#very-high-alert

For full details of what you can and cannot do in Tier 2, high alert:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#high-alert

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