Sunderland officially put on Government coronavirus watchlist - what it means, and what happens next

The city has been added to Public Health England's watchlist for 'enhanced support' as leaders warned “This is our last chance.”

There were 244 new positive cases in the seven days to Tuesday, September 8, which equals to around 75 cases per 100,000 people - three times higher than the national rate.

Sunderland City Council says there are no formal restrictions or lockdown measures as part of the move.

What does it mean to be on the watchlist?

Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller, the chairman of the Sunderland Outbreak Control Board, said that it means more ‘support’ at the moment, rather than restrictions, but warned the city is now very close to a local lockdown.

He said: "Yet, we are very close to a local lockdown if there is not a rapid and drastic reduction in the number of cases.

"The virus is spreading across Sunderland and we need to work together to stop it.”

What action is the council taking?

Actions being taken include:

• Suspending all but essential care home visits

• Visiting stopped on all adult inpatient wards at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

• Increased monitoring of licensed premises and appropriate enforcement focused initially on pubs, clubs and bars

• Speaking to people who have tested positive to try and work out how and where people have been exposed to the virus

Additional national support may include:

• Priority for mobile testing units as required

• Priority use of NHS Test and Trace call centre tracing resources

• Priority for test results and data sharing

What happens next?

If cases continue to rise, local lockdown measures could be imposed on the city.

Restrictions on opening hours in pubs, bars, or restaurants and other venues could be considered as a rise in cases has been linked to the hospitality trade.

Cllr Miller warned: "It is very simple: The current situation is extremely serious and if more people do not take more responsibility and act more sensibly then we will go back into a lockdown. This is our last chance."

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