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Economic Development

Plymouth businesses braced for Tier 2 restrictions as Covid cases rise

City's health chief warns that 'high risk' status may not be averted if cases continue to rise at 'rapid' rate

Plymouth's city centre and waterfront

Plymouth is in danger of being classed as a “high risk”, or Tier 2, area as coronavirus infections surge – with serious implications for the city’s businesses including a 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants.

Plymouth’s Director of Public Health has called for a concerted city-wide effort to stop it having to enter Tier 2, as Covid-19 cases surge by 350 in just a week.

Dr Ruth Harrell warned that if Covid-19 cases in Plymouth continue to rise at the current rapid rate, within days the city could be designated a “high risk”, or Tier 2 area, meaning further restrictions for residents and businesses.

This would mean businesses and venues can continue to operate, but . Pubs and restaurants must ensure customers consume food and drink only while seated - and must close between 10pm and 5am.

Dr Ruth Harrell, Plymouth's director of public health

Takeaways would be able continue to operate after 10pm if food is ordered online or by phone and schools and the city’s universities can remain open.

Exercise classes and organised sport would be able continue to take place outdoors, if the city enters Tier 2, but will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with those they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport.

However, people are able to travel to work of places of education, but people are advised to reduce the number of journeys where possible. Tradespeople would be allowed to continue to go into households for work.

But people would be prohibited from socialising with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting and the rule of six would continue to apply for socialising outdoors, for example in a garden or public space such as a park or beach.