Remaining areas of Essex placed in Tier 4

The Government has today (Wednesday 23 December) announced that Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford will join the rest of Essex in Tier 4 COVID restrictions from 00.01am on Saturday 26 December – the highest local COVID alert level.

The Government’s decision comes after a review which shows the latest data for the three areas has significantly increased and continues to climb in line with other areas of the county which were placed in Tier 4 on Sunday 20 December

Current data shows rates in Colchester are currently at 257.3 per 100,000, Tendring at 227.8 and Uttlesford at 314.3.

Decisions on which area goes into which Tier are based on five key epidemiological indicators, including current and projected pressure on local health services.

Under Tier 4 restrictions, residents must not leave or be outside of their home or garden except where they have a ‘reasonable excuse’. This includes for work only if they are unable to work from home, essential activities such as food shopping within the local area, education and childcare purposes, exercise and recreation, medical reasons and communal worship.

To reduce social contact, the regulations will also require some businesses to close. These include non-essential retail, hospitality venues, accommodation, leisure and sport facilities, entertainment venues, indoor attractions and personal care facilities, such as hairdressers.

The planned Government review of tiers nationally is still scheduled to take place on Thursday 30 December.