Essex to remain under tier 2 restrictions

The county of Essex will face tough tier 2 coronavirus restrictions from next Wednesday 3rd December. 

These restrictions, which the county faced before the second lockdown,  will include a ban on household mixing indoors, meaning residents will only be able to meet other households socially-distanced outdoors in groups of six. This decision will not separate existing support bubbles.

The restrictions also encourage individuals to work from home where possible, whilst pubs and bars must shut unless they operate as a restaurant, serving substantial food. 

Before the second lockdown, Southend and Thurrock were in tier 1 and the rest of the county in tier 2. Today, the government announced that the whole county will be placed in tier 2. 

The data, which is based on latest infection rates, suggests that the virus rate needs to be reduced across Essex before restrictions are eased. 

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, reacted:

“It’s very disappointing to hear that the government will place Thurrock in tier 2 when we come out of lockdown next week. I wrote to Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, earlier this week setting out our position and latest figures requesting we stay in tier 1 but, as with the whole of Essex, we have been placed in tier 2.”