Sunderland set to remain in Tier 3 for Christmas despite work to drive down Covid case numbers

The city was put into tier 3 after the national lockdown ended leaving the region with tighter restrictions than before the lockdown started in November.

And with a review of England’s three-tier system due on Wednesday, December 16, it looks unlikely Sunderland’s situation will be eased ahead of Christmas.

That means hospitality venues will still only be able to offer takeaway services and restrictions including mixing with others and movement between areas would continue.

The latest coronavirus case figures for the city as of Thursday, December 10, showed 64 new confirmed tests, while the most up to date weekly rate stood at 165.6 cases per 100,000 people.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council believes it will be a firm “no” to any move for the foreseeable future.

"I think we will still be in Tier 3, but I will be delighted to be proved wrong,” he said.

"If you look now, we have around 160 cases per 100,000 people, and that stood at 500 cases per 100,000 back at the high peak in October and November.

"But that is still too high for the Government. If you look at London, where the spread is out of control and they have 300 cases, it is in Tier 2, as is the South East, and that is because it is a political decision, it is different to the North.

"There’s no agreement with the Government about all of this, but we will continue to talk to them on the basis we are grown ups, but it goes to the hatchery or hive in Number 10 – their decision is just the roll of the dice.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during a visit to the region the Government would “be fair” looking at data in coming days but that it “can’t afford to let the virus get out of control” and allow a third spike.

He said: "Everyone instinctively understands where we’ve got to in the fight, we all know the salvation, the cavalry is over the hill and the vaccines are already being rolled out, but it will take time.”

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