Tighter measures came into play from midnight
It's the news we were all waiting impatiently for and a devastating blow for our hospitality industry.
As part of a countrywide tightening of restrictions, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that Liverpool will enter Tier 3 from midnight on December 30th, putting paid to any New Year’s Eve plans involving hospitality.
Looks like it's a New Year's Eve takeaway for us.
This tier change means that restaurants, bars and cafes must yet again close their doors to the public but can continue to offer a takeaway, click and collect or delivery service. Also...
- Non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers can stay open
- No indoor mixing of households except support bubbles
- Up to six people can still meet outdoors but only in public spaces (not private gardens)
- Theatres, cinemas, bowling alleys, casinos etc. must close
- Hotels must close
- Outdoor sports is allowed but no spectators
- Travel should be avoided
More details on the government website here.
The news comes as a disappointment following our region's pioneering of mass testing and a subsequent hefty drop in cases but hopefully these measures combined with the government's promised rapid vaccine rollout will help to bring the mutant strain in line so we can reopen confidently as soon as possible.
To prep or not to prep .. that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
— Ellis Robert barrie (@ellisbarriebros) December 30, 2020
The news came with no notice meaning that many restaurants had gone to the bother of ordering in ingredients and arranging for staff to come in and prep food that they will not be allowed to serve. Many frustrated general managers have since spent hours phoning customers to cancel reservations on what is usually the busiest day of the year.
Looks like it's a New Year's Eve takeaway for us.
More updates here when we have them.
Liverpool City Council has thanked people for getting tested over the festive period.
Figures show that from Monday 7 until Sunday 27 December, 53,303 people took part in Liverpool’s SMART Testing programme which is aimed at asymptomatic people who may be carrying the virus unknowingly.
The city’s Acting Mayor Councillor Wendy Simon and Matt Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health have praised the responsibility shown by residents and visitors, declaring the programme a success with 503 people testing positive who may otherwise have mixed with family or friends on Christmas Day and unwittingly spread the disease.
Liverpool’s Acting Mayor, Councillor Wendy Simon said: “We were the first city to pilot the lateral flow tests back in November and I’m proud that months on, there is still the demand and enthusiasm for people to get tested.
“We are incredibly lucky to have these testing facilities in Liverpool – they are undoubtedly game-changing and are essential in our fight against this virus.
“As we head in to 2021, I urge people to continue to make the most of Liverpool’s SMART Testing and help keep this city, and everyone in it, safe.”
There are currently nine test centres across the city which are aimed at people who are not experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19. These centres offer a Lateral Flow Test which is a simple swab-test which will give results in under an hour. Details can be found at www.liverpool.gov.uk/SMARTtesting
