New COVID-19 tier restrictions for Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

The Government has announced that the BCP Council area will be moving to Tier 4 restrictions, and the Dorset Council area to Tier 3, from Thursday 31 December.

These restrictions and guidance must be followed to help drive down the rates of COVID-19  infection, protect vulnerable people and stop the spread of the virus.

The Tier 4 regulations instruct everyone to stay at home, which means residents must not leave or be outside of their homes, except where they have a specific purpose or a ‘reasonable excuse’. Exceptions include work (where people cannot work from home), education and childcare, and essential activities such as shopping for food or medicine, and for exercise.

For full details of what the Tier change means, please refer to the government’s website for Tier 4 restrictions. 

Where people are going out for valid reasons, they should try to stay local as much as possible and avoid travelling out of their town or village. Plan your journey, walk and cycle wherever possible and if using public transport try to avoid busy times and routes. Avoid car sharing with people not in the same household or support bubble.

In Tier 3 people must not mix indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens, the rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces. Restaurants, cafes and bars must also close and can only provide a take-away service. 

For full details of what the Tier change means, please refer to the government’s website for Tier 3 restrictions. 

Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said:

“The number of positive cases of Covid-19 across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, as well as the Dorset Council area, has risen significantly over the last week. Tier 2 measures are just not enough to stop the virus spreading.

“Our infection rates have risen in people over the age of 60 which is putting increased pressure on already stretched NHS services. Making sacrifices now means we could prevent an even larger spike in January. 

““It is essential, now more than ever that everyone follows the new rules for their area to help drive infections down. Until the vaccine is rolled out wider, we must do all we can to supress the virus by staying at home unless for essential journeys. Remember: hands, face, space and ventilating your home are simple measures we can all do that will make a difference.”