Government reveals which tier Northamptonshire falls into on new Covid alert levels

Northamptonshire has been listed as 'medium' in the new Local COVID alert levels published by the Government this evening.

On its website, the Prime Minister's announcement was published in full with areas in the High and Very High category listed in full. All areas not listed fall into the Medium category. Northampton was not listed as High or Very High.

The Government guidelines show the following restrictions for areas classed as 'medium':

* All businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law, such as nightclubs.

* Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am.

* Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru.

* Schools, universities and places of worship remain open

* Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees

* Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is followed

* People must not meet in groups larger than six, indoors or outdoors.

Public Health Northamptonshire has not yet published its response to this afternoon's announcement by the Prime Minister but at a press conference last week, the director of health for Northamptonshire, Lucy Wightman, said they would look to take further action if they did not feel the government's measures went far enough to avoid further spread of the virus in Northamptonshire.