Let's give Boris' three-tier scheme time to see if it works, says Northamptonshire's Public Health chief

Northamptonshire's Public Health chief says it's time to stick not twist over the latest Covid-19 restrictions...for now.

The county is rated "medium risk" — the lowest — in Boris Johnson's three-tier system announced on Monday with national restrictions and recommendations staying the same.

Public Health Director Lucy Wightman revealed on Friday she had held off issuing stronger local guidance while waiting for the national announcement against a backdrop of new coronavirus cases more than doubling across Northamptonshire.

And today she said: "Broadly, things stay roughly where we are from point of view of the national policy that we have been adhering and I don't think we would be looking to step down our local recommendations which have been additional to that.

"I think we need to allow adequate time to see how people respond and see if it does make the difference that the Government hopes it will.

"My statutory job is to keep as many people protected as possible. If I don't see these measures going far enough and we continue to see an increase in cases then I will not sit back and watch this happen.

"I will take steps to try and keep us at the lower end of the scale or get into an even better position.

"All of this is reliant on the public but we've beaten a trend before and we want to make sure we keep at the right end of the scale and that people can spend Christmas with their loved ones."

National rules for medium risk areas means following the rule of six, wearing face masks indoors, a limit of 15 guests at weddings, working from home where possible and a 10pm curfew on pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

Additionally, Northamptonshire residents have been asked to avoid using public transport and car-sharing unless necessary since last month.

Extra recommendations were issued on Friday asking care home to limit visits from relatives except in extenuating circumstances and supporters to stay away from those local sporting events where fans are allowed.

Pleas to only meet with other households outdoors have been in place in parts of the county since early-August.

Government figures last night (Monday) revealed 69 new positive coronavirus tests in Northampton during the lastest 24-hour period — of which nearly half were in Northampton.

The infection rate has risen to 84.27 new positive tests in the last week per 100,000 of the population across the county.