THERE are currently four tiers of Covid restrictions across England, but with calls for stronger measures - a fifth tier - The northern Echo looks at what this could mean.

London and the South East are under Tier 4 rules, the most stringent of measures, while the North-East is in Tier 3 and North Yorkshire is in Tier 2.

Only the Isles of Scilly is in Tier 1.

 

Ahead of the official tier system review tomorrow, December 30, many have speculated the introduction of Tier 5, with "near-lockdown" rules as the Government attempts to curb new strains of Covid.

Tighter measures are required to tackle the new variant of the virus, which is the main reason for the increase in cases, said Professor Andrew Hayward, of the Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag).

The Northern Echo: Picture: UK GovernmentPicture: UK Government

The Government uses five key indicators to determine what Tier an area will be placed in. This includes case detection rates in all age groups, case detection rates in the over 60s and the case change rate - whether cases are rising or falling.

The positivity rate, which is the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken is also factored in, as well as the pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy of hospitals. 

No one knows what Tier 5 would entail, or whether it will be introduced, but government scientists have reportedly told the Prime Minister that stricter measures are needed to stop the virus spreading beyond control. 

Tier 4 restricts people from leaving their home or garden unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’, which includes for work, education, exercise and essential activities such as medical appointments and to buy food.

Everyone who can work from home should also do so.

Tomorrow's tier review will determine whether 2021 will also be spent locked indoors.

Tier 5 may see Government doubling-down these rules in a move back to lockdown-like measures seen in the first wave where the public was only allowed to leave their homes once a day.

Tighter measures would likely see new, wide-ranging restrictions on freedom of movement, enforceable in law under stay-at-home orders. 

People in Tier 4 are also not allowed to meet socially indoors, in a private garden or some outdoor public venues with anybody they do not live with or have a support bubble with. However, they can meet one person in a park or public garden. 

If a tougher tier is introduced, it would likely ban meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble. 

Outdoor entertainment venues, such as botanical gardens and heritage sites, can stay open in Tier 4, although indoor elements at these attractions must close. This is another luxury likely to be removed in Tier 5 in efforts to deter people from leaving the house.

All clinically extremely vulnerable people in Tier 4 have also been asked to shield.

On Monday, December 28, there were an additional 991 cases of coronavirus in the North East and North Yorkshire.

The Northern Echo: Picture: UK GovernmentPicture: UK Government

The Government reported nationally that there had been a further 41,385 cases in the last 24-hours as of Monday. This brings the total to 2,329,730 positive cases of Covid-19.

There were 357 additional deaths, bringing the total to 71,109 with having a positive coronavirus test. This includes one death in a North-East and North Yorkshire hospital, in County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

While rates have increased across the region with the exception of South Tyneside and Newcastle, Hartlepool has a seven-day rolling rate of 417.5, with 391 cases, an increase of 104 or 36.2 per cent - the highest in the North-East