WARRINGTON is being placed in 'tier 2' coronavirus restrictions when the second national lockdown lifts.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed is addressing parliament, this morning, to set out the rules for each region following the Prime Minister's 'winter plan' for when the lockdown ends on December 2. 

READ: Live reaction as Warrington place in Tier 2

Warrington Borough Council chief executive Steven Broomhead says he is pleased for residents and businesses.

He added: "It shows how hard people have worked to drive the rates down.

"We would like to thank people for their efforts and say keep up the good work.

"There are still restrictions but we are pleased for the hospitality sector to open in the run up to Christmas."

The tier 2 or 'high' Covid-19 alert level restrictions are as follows: 

  • No mixing of households indoors aside from support bubbles will be allowed, with a maximum gathering of six permitted outdoors.
  • Pubs and bars will remain closed unless operating as restaurants, with alcohol only served as part of a "substantial meal" until 10pm, before venues must close at 11pm.
  • All retail, leisure and personal care services are able to reopen.
  • People will be encouraged to reduce the number of journeys they make and to avoid travelling into Tier 3 areas, except for reasons of education or work.Warrington Guardian:
  • Overnight stays will only be permitted for those in the same household or support bubble and accommodation can open.
  • Places of worship can reopen, but people must not interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
  • Fifteen guests will be allowed at weddings and civil partnerships, increasing to 30 for funerals.
  • Classes and organised sport can take place outdoors but not indoors if there is any interaction between two different households.
  • Large events including sport and live performances will be open to the public but limited to 50 per cent capacity or 2,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors.

The Department of Health 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 pressure on the NHS, including current and projected capacity.

Thankfully, the rate of new coronavirus cases in Warrington is currently falling.

The latest available data from Public Health England showed that, in the seven days leading up to November 21, a total of 411 positive tests were recorded in the town.

This is a rate of 195.7 infections for every 100,000 residents - the 137th highest level nationally.

By comparison, in the same period before November 14 there were 603 confirmed cases – 287.1 per 100,000.

Warrington Hospital has now recorded 247 Covid-19 related deaths, with 150 inpatients with the virus at the Lovely Lane site as of Wednesday afternoon – including 17 in intensive care.

Since the start of the pandemic, 823 coronavirus patients have been discharged from Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after treatment.