Plymouth businesses are being warned that the city is “on the cusp” of being placed under Tier 2 restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to mount.
Members of the city’s two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have been contacted and told that tougher restrictions could be in force in the waterside Devon city “within a matter of days”.
Plymouth City Centre Company and Destination Plymouth, and Plymouth City Council too, have emailed more than 1,300 businesses to tell them it is “absolutely essential” they comply with Covid-19 measures to protect businesses, employees and the economy as the R rate jumps from 1 to 1.3.
The organisations are still hopeful a shift into Tier 2 can be avoided if everyone “acts now” and stressed that city businesses had been showing “good levels of compliance” with the rules.
In very similarly worded emails the organisations shared information from the council’s public health team.
Businesses have been told the rate of Covid-19 cases in Plymouth has now exceeded 130 per 100,000 people and “the numbers are still increasing”.
The message from the City Centre Company said: “The city is on the cusp of a Tier 2 level which means tougher restrictions – no more than one household or support bubble meeting indoors, and only six outdoors.
“We can expect to enter Tier 2 within a matter of days if this trend continues. However, if we act now, we may be able to make a difference, so we hope alerting the city early enough will prevent us hitting Tier 2.”
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It continued: “Most businesses are doing everything possible and feedback from the Health and Safety Executive shows good levels of compliance from our businesses.
“So far Plymouth has avoided tighter restrictions, but more than ever it is absolutely essential that we are all complying fully, being Covid aware and helping to stay out of Tier 2, protecting your business, your employees and the economy.”
The advice to businesses states that “safe premises means social distancing, sticking to the rule of six where applicable, coverings on and sanitiser available, with good ventilation and clear information about how to comply.”
It also stressed that compliance is “not optional” and said: “We need customers to follow our lead and keep safe.”
Businesses are urged to allow staff to work from home if possible and “make it easy for them to do so”. Employees told to self isolate “need and deserve your support” the organisations said.
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And the emails warned: “The Government has recently given Plymouth City Council further enforcement powers and while they only want to use them as a last resort, they will do so in order to protect our city.
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“Action has already been taken against one licensed venue through a fixed penalty notice. Fines in excess of £10,000 can be levied so the council hopes it doesn't have to take more action, as this is about stopping COVID-19, not penalising businesses.
“Tier 2 will see all of our businesses affected by the limitations on households mixing indoors. I cannot stress how imperative it is everyone across the city understands the seriousness of Covid-19 and the consequences for our community. We must work together in order to protect our health, our NHS, our families, friends and our economy.
“Much has been said about the impact of the restrictions – the actions we have been taking ARE working, as we can see from the level of R, but more needs to be done. The R rate before we had any restrictions was 2.5 to 3; it dropped below 1 during the spring, and remained low in the summer. It is currently at 1.3 and we need to get it back down.”
If Plymouth does enter Tier 2 it would mean businesses and venues can continue to operate, but with restrictions. Pubs and restaurants must ensure customers consume food and drink only while seated - and must close between 10pm and 5am.
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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 and 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.
Places of worship would remain open, but people may not mingle in groups of more than six, and weddings and funerals could go ahead with restrictions on the numbers attending - 15 and 30 respectively.