Communications Dept.

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Immediate release                                                       Thursday 26 November 2020

Attn: Newsdesk                                                                                                   15598

 Bedford Borough to Be in Tier Two- High Alert

 With national restrictions coming to an end next week, the Government has announced that Bedford Borough will be in Tier Two- High Alert from Wednesday 2 December.

This means:

• you must not meet indoors with anyone you do not live with or who isn’t in your support bubble.
• groups of no more than six people can meet outdoors, including in a private garden
• pubs and bars must remain closed, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals, and must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm
• indoor leisure centres and entertainment venues can open
• organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can take place
• organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live/bubble with

In addition, shops will be open, personal care services such as hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons will be open, and places of worship will be able to hold communal worship services but people must not socialise with individuals outside their household/support bubble.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said “The Government has introduced these new strengthened tiers regionally, with different tiers in place in different parts of the country. Bedford Borough has joined Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes in going into the Tier Two- High Alert level from Wednesday 2 December.

“Coronavirus is spread through social contact- through us seeing people. That is why we are being asked to not mix indoors with other households that are not part of our support bubble, and to meet outdoors in groups of no more than six.

“Infections in Bedford Borough are still high so in the run-up to Christmas, please be cautious and do everything you can to keep slowing the spread of coronavirus.

“By minimising social contact with those outside of your household, by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering if you can, and keeping 2m apart from other people you will be helping to keep yourself, your friends and family, and your community safe.”

ENDS