Will Sunderland move into Tier 3 lockdown after Sheffield and Manchester? Here's what we know so far

As South Yorkshire becomes the latest area of the country to enter tier three lockdown restrictions, what are the chances Sunderland could follow suit?
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The Government has confirmed talks are ongoing with North East council bosses about the possibility of moving the region to the highest level of coronavirus alert.

So what do we know?

What has happened so far?

What are the chances of Sunderland being raised to tier three?What are the chances of Sunderland being raised to tier three?
What are the chances of Sunderland being raised to tier three?

After criticism over the difficulty of understanding exactly what restrictions applied in various local lockdowns, the Government has introduced a simplified three tier system.

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The three levels – medium, high and very high – carry increasingly stringent conditions.

Initially, only Liverpool was classified as being at ‘very high’ risk but the level was subsequently extended to Lancashire.

The North East was placed in level two, and has since been joined there by Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons on Monday, October 19, that talks were under way about moving a number of other areas – including the North East and Teesside – to the highest footing.

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And at a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Discussions on moving to the very high alert level continue with local leaders in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and the North East.

“I hope and expect central and local government will continue to work closely together as we are seen in Merseyside, London, Lancashire and many other parts of the country.”

Yesterday came news Greater Manchester was being raised to tier three from Friday, despite the objections of Mayor Andy Burnham, and today, Wednesday, October 21, it was confirmed all four South Yorkshire council areas – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield – will be placed in tier three from Saturday.

What about Sunderland?

It was reported on Friday, October 16, that the North East’s LA7 group of councils – Sunderland, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle, County Durham and Northumberland – had been given a week to convince ministers that the rise in cases was under control.

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Sunderland’s weekly rolling rate of coronavirus cases has been rising – but it is still significantly lower than in the areas which have been moved to tier three so far.

In the seven days to Friday, October 16, the city had 904 new cases confirmed, the equivalent of 325.5 per 100,000 people.

That was a rise on the 836 cases in the previous seven days – a rate of 301 per 100,000 people.

But it is still lower than a lot of other areas. In fact, there is not a single North East authority in the latest list of the 20 worst hotspots.

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Nottingham continues to have the highest weekly rate in the country, with 672 new cases per 100,000, followed by Knowsley, on Merseyside, with 664.8.

Liverpool has a weekly rate of 596.9 cases per 100,000 people and in Greater Manchester, Salford has a rate of 428.5 per 100,000 and Oldham 422.6.

In South Yorkshire, which was confirmed today as the latest area to enter tier three, Sheffield has a weekly rate of 406.1 cases per 100,000 and Barnsley 388.9.

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What would tier three mean?

*Pubs and bars would have to close, except those operating as if they were a restaurant and serving substantial meals. Alcohol could only be served with a meal.

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*People would not be allowed to socialise with anybody they do not live with or have a support bubble with, including in any indoor setting, private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events.

*Socialising in a group of more than six in an outdoor public space, such as a park or beach, would be prohibited.

*Schools, universities and places of worship would remain open but household mixing would be banned.

*Weddings and funerals could go ahead but with restrictions on numbers of attendees. Wedding receptions would not be permitted.

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*Exercise classes and organised sport could continue outdoors but indoors only if it is possible for people to avoid household/support bubble mixing or for youth or disability sport.

*Everyone should ‘try to avoid’ travelling outside or entering the very high alert level area except for necessary reasons such as work, education or youth services, caring responsibilities or as part of a longer journey.

*People living in a very high level alert area should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and anyone resident elsewhere should avoid staying overnight in a very high alert level area.

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