South Yorkshire will be put into Tier 3 lockdown from 00.01 on Saturday to combat the surge of coronavirus, it has been confirmed.
After six days of talks with the government, the leaders of South Yorkshire and key members at Number 10 managed to come to an agreement.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor for the Sheffield City Region confirmed the news this morning, Wednesday, and said that the decision “had not been taken likely”.
He said: “The four council leaders and I share the view that without action our population and that health services right across South Yorkshire are at risk and that our collective response must find a balance between the health and economic challenges in front of us.”
The county will also see £41 million worth of funding for the area to help support businesses and a local test and trace system.
It means that South Yorkshire will move from the “high” level Tier 2 into the “very high” level Tier 3.
Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire are all already in Tier 3.
Under the tighter restrictions, pubs and bars not serving a ‘substantial’ meal must close.
Separate households are banned from mixing both indoors and outdoors, in hospitality venues or private gardens.
People would still be able to meet in groups of up to six people from different households in outdoor public spaces like parks.
There is also added ‘guidance’ against travelling in and out of the South Yorkshire area.
Mr Jarvis added: “Following extensive discussions with Ministers, local council leaders and I have agreed with Government that South Yorkshire will move into Tier 3, the ‘very high’ alert level for coronavirus restrictions.
“The restrictions will come into force from 00:01 on Saturday 24 October and cover all four local authority areas – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
“We all recognise the gravity of the situation and have taken the responsible route to ensure we save lives and livelihoods, and protect our NHS. More older people are contracting the virus. The number of people with COVID in our hospitals has doubled over the last ten days, with no signs this will relent over the coming weeks. Inaction was not an option.
