As MP Daniel Zeichner warns PM is putting optimism ahead of safety, which tier will Cambridge be in after lockdown?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is taking risks by easing restrictions to appease some of his Tory MPs, according to Cambridge’s Labour MP.
Daniel Zeichner warned that infection levels are still high and that the government must be careful after announcing the new tiered system that will be put in place when lockdown ends on December 2.
Mr Zeicner said: “The government needs to be honest. We are at a very difficult point and whilst people’s actions are having an effect, the prevalence of the virus is really high.
“I fear the Prime Minister is once again putting optimism ahead of safety. Some of his moves look calculated to appease his own MPs who deny risks.
“I hope the government will learn the lessons from before and be much more careful with the easing of restrictions this time.”
Under the new system:
- In Tier 1, people should continue to work from home where possible.
- In Tier 2, only pubs serving meals can open. Alcohol may only be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal.
- In Tier 3, pubs and restaurants will only be able to offer takeaway and delivery services, while indoor entertainment, hotels and other accommodation will close.
The government will reveal on Thursday what areas of the country will go into each tier.
Scientists have questioned the value of tier 1.
The Sage advisory panel - which includes University of Cambridge experts - has suggested Tier 2 is the “minimum intervention required to maintain any degree of control on transmission”.
Although it has not been confirmed by the government, it is thought that a single tier could be applied across the whole of the Eastern region - covering the six counties of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
With some areas of Essex in particular experiencing above average infection rates, this could increase the chances of Cambridgeshire going into tier 2.
Mr Zeichner said: “Of course, the question every resident, student and business wants to know is which tier Cambridge will be in? I am also keen to know over what size areas these new tiers will be brought in.
“I would not want relatively high levels in the city of Cambridge disguised by lower levels of the virus in surrounding areas.
“We want to spend Christmas with our friends and family, but most of all we want to be safe.”
Cambridge’s infection rates have fluctuated from below average to above average this month, as the number of cases among students has risen and fallen.
The rate did shoot up past Liverpool’s for a time earlier this month, fuelled by infections at the University of Cambridge, but has fallen to just below the national average.
The current infection rate is 169.1 case per 100,000 for the week to November 17, with 211 cases - 97 fewer than the previous week.
Latest statistics from the University of Cambridge showed 52 positive cases confirmed among students and staff for the week of November 16-22 - this was dramatically down from the 234 confirmed in the previous week.
Prior to lockdown, amid growing case numbers, city leaders were considering requesting that Cambridge move up from Tier 1 to 2, so that higher restrictions were imposed.
It was suggested that South Cambridgeshire could move into the same tier as Cambridge, due to the movement between the areas.
But South Cambridgeshire’s infection level for the week to November 17 was 88 cases per 100,000 - around half that of Cambridge’s, as it recorded 140 cases, down 47 week on week.
East Cambridgeshire’s rate was the lowest in the county at 67.9 cases per 100,000, as it recorded 61 cases, down 12 week on week.
Read more
Coronavirus: PM explains new tougher tier system
Coronavirus: Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine ‘up to 90% effective’ at preventing Covid-19