When is the Covid tier review announcement? Northamptonshire waits to find out its fate from central Government

Health Secretary's announcement expected in the Commons, followed by televised press conference
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Northamptonshire is set to find out on Thursday what coronavirus restrictions people will face before and after Christmas.

The county's Public Health Director, Lucy Wightman, says she expects a phone call "late Wednesday or early Thursday" with the vital information after Boris Johnson and his Cabinet meets today to assess information from health and biosecurity experts.

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Health Secretary Matt Hancock is then expected to make an announcement to Parliament on Thursday with details published on the Government website and a televised press conference to follow.

England’s strengthened three-tier system is being reviewed for the first time since being introduced two weeks ago.

Northamptonshire was placed in the middle tier — Tier Two — with the promise of being moved into a lower tier if things got better, or the 'very high' level if they got worse.

London, parts of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire have already moved into tier three ahead of the review, following significant spikes in positive tests.

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Northamptonshire, along with the rest of the country, is now waiting to discover its fate.

Health Director Lucy Wightman expects a call ahead of Matt Hancock's big announcement on ThursdayHealth Director Lucy Wightman expects a call ahead of Matt Hancock's big announcement on Thursday
Health Director Lucy Wightman expects a call ahead of Matt Hancock's big announcement on Thursday

The Government has said decisions on tier levels are based on a number of factors including case detection rates in all age groups and, in particular, among the over 60s.

How quickly case rates are rising or falling will also be taken into account, as will local pressure on the NHS, including current and projected capacity.

Since the initial announcement on November 26, the number of positive tests daily has risen significantly in Northampton — but not in other parts of the county.

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Hospital admissions and coronavirus deaths have also increased to levels approaching peaks seen during the pandemic's first wave in April.

Northamptonshire Police have also issued five £10,000 fines over breaches of the coronavirus regulations during the last few days — four at house parties in Northampton and one at a religious gathering at the town's Campanile Hotel.

Restrictions will be relaxed between December 23 and December 27 so that people can form one 'Christmas bubble' of people from no more than three households, spending time together in private homes, places of worship or outdoors.

Current Tier Two restrictions will continue to apply everywhere else so pubs can only serve drinks to those eating substantial meals — unless Northamptonshire is put into Tier Three where no households are allowed to mix with pubs and restaurants being forced to close or operate as takeaways only on New Year's Eve.