South Yorkshire leaders enter into talks about Tier 3 lockdown as Covid-19 infection rates fall
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But this comes after the Covid-19 infection rate in Sheffield fell significantly over recent days, following on from an alarming spike at the end of September.
A spokesperson from Sheffield City Region confirmed that ‘discussions’ on the matter are ‘ongoing’.
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Hide AdIn a speech to the House of Commons this afternoon, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Following the successful introduction of measures in Liverpool and Lancashire, talks are continuing this afternoon led by (the Communities Secretary) with Greater Manchester, and this week further discussions are planned with South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, the North East and Teesside.”
Mayor of Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis today also confirmed that local leaders were in talks with 10 Downing Street.
He tweeted: “Today local leaders and I will continue talks with 10DowningStreet to make sure #COVID restrictions and proper support go hand in hand.
"We will do what's needed to protect lives and livelihoods in South #Yorkshire, and that means getting the right arrangements.”
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Hide AdTier 3 restrictions would see a ban on meeting people outside of households and support bubbles in any situation.
It would also mean the closure of pubs and bars, unless they sell ‘substantial meals’.
Schools and universities would remain open. Places of worship would also be permitted to stay open, however mixing of hosueholds would be banned.
The talks about increased restrictions are going ahead in spite of the fact that Sheffield is among a number of cities in the UK where the rate of new cases of coronavirus has been in decline for a number of days.
The rates have been decreasing for several days, suggesting they are on a downward trend rather than a temporary dip.
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Hide AdSheffield’s current rate is 396.7, based on the latest figures which were for the week to October 14. This is down from 500.3 in the seven days to October 7.
And the number of students in Sheffield who are becoming infected with coronavirus has more than halved, according to latest figures.
In the seven days up to October 18 the University of Sheffield had 191 cases. That compares with 437 cases in the seven days up to October 12.
And at Sheffield Hallam University there were 208 student cases reported in the seven days to October 18, down from 416 the week before.