East Riding of Yorkshire Council - COVID-19 Local Alert Level 2 Reminder
Information from East Riding of Yorkshire Council following yesterday’s announcement regarding moving to tier 2 (high alert).
Dear residents and businesses
This is a reminder that the East Riding will move from local alert level 1 (medium) to local alert level 2 (high) from tomorrow – Saturday, 31 October.
This means that additional restrictions, such as no indoor mixing of different households unless part of your support bubble, will come into effect across the whole of the East Riding.
The restrictions effectively start from just after midnight, so today is the last day of the East Riding being in local alert level 1 (medium) and tomorrow (Saturday) is the first day in local alert level 2 (high).
We hope this clarifies any confusion from yesterday’s message.
The decision has been based on the advice of public health experts, following an increase in the rate of COVID-19 cases in the East Riding across all age ranges (including older age groups) and the knock-on effect this has on the NHS, including hospitalisations.
As well as adhering to the new restrictions – which are detailed below - we urge you to keep following all the simple COVID-19 safety guidance, including handwashing, respecting social distance, wearing a face covering unless exempt, being aware of COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolating and requesting a test immediately when necessary.
Our neighbouring areas of Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire are also being placed at the high local alert level from tomorrow, following a recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the region.
Moving to local alert level 2 will mean that the council, in addition to providing even more support to residents and communities, will also be able to provide more support to businesses, including business grants, support for the self-employed and the job support scheme.
We are awaiting further guidance about this from the Government and will communicate further when we are able to.
What the new restrictions mean and when they will come into effect
From the start of tomorrow, Saturday, 31 October 2020, the new local alert level 2 restrictions for the East Riding will mean:
• You must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them. This includes private homes and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants.
• You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with outdoors, including in a garden or other outdoor space. When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than six people.
• Visiting indoor hospitality/leisure/retail settings is restricted to one household i.e. two households must not meet in these settings (unless those two households are in a support bubble).
• In agreement with the Government, the council is looking at ways to facilitate visits in care homes. However, the absolute priorityis that we need to continue keeping COVID-19 out of care settings.
• You may continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, for work, voluntary, charitable or youth services, or to access education, within a high alert level area, but you should and aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. If you need to travel we encourage you to walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practice social distancing while you travel.
• You can still go on holiday outside of your area but you should only do this with people you live with or have formed a support bubble with (dependent on any local restrictions in the area you are visiting).
• People can play a team sport only where this is formally organised by a sports club or similar organisation, and sports-governing body guidance has been issued.
• People should not attend amateur or professional sporting events as spectators.
• Wedding receptions and celebrations can continue for up to 15 people in the form of a sit-down meal and in a COVID-19-secure setting, not in a private dwelling.
• Up to 30 people can attend a funeral, and 15 for a wake in a COVID-19-secure setting, not in a private dwelling.
How and when to request a COVID-19 test
If you do have any symptoms of COVID-19 - a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - you must immediately self-isolate and request a test at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
You must self-isolate and stay at home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, if you have tested positive or if you have been contacted and advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the council.
If you need more information
To learn more about the new measures and what support is available for residents, businesses and local communities, visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/3stepstosafety