Covid-19: Luton to face tier 2 restrictions

Luton is due to face tougher tier two coronavirus restrictions from Saturday in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

Luton Council said there had been a "worrying" number of admissions to the town's hospital and a rise in deaths.

The number of cases in the town has risen to 178.4 per 100,000 people.

The council said the stricter social contact measures, which will be reviewed in 14 days, were needed due to "current trajectory" of case numbers.

The decision followed discussions between the council and government.

In a joint statement, Luton Council leader, Hazel Simmons, and Lucy Hubber, the town's interim director of public health, said: "Infections are continuing to rise across the town, with a hugely worrying increase in confirmed positive cases in the over-60s who are much more vulnerable to the disease.

"Sadly, we are also seeing admissions to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital rising and tragically Covid-19 related deaths in our communities.

"While Luton's infection rates are still lower than some areas of the country, the current trajectory makes it clear that action is needed now in order to contain the spread of the virus.

"Reluctantly, due to the evidence, we have accepted the position of moving up to tier two."

The stricter restrictions have been described as "ridiculous" by Cherrie Bennett, landlady of The Castle Tavern.

"We've lost out a lot with tier one. Tier two is really going to have a major impact on us," she said.

"I don't see how this in any way shape or form is helping us, or helping the country. Stop blaming us."

Nevada Claxton, who travels to London for her studies, said while she "understands why it had to be done, it's kind of like falling backwards into March".

"I feel people won't take it as seriously as at the beginning of the pandemic," she said.

The government is providing Luton with a financial package worth £3 per head to boost testing, tracing and enforcement.

The council has deployed Covid marshals who will be patrolling the town's streets to ensure social distancing rules are followed for the next 16 weeks at least.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country, and it is clear decisive action is needed."

A new study claims 100,000 people are catching coronavirus in England every day.

In England, the latest figures show there are 225.9 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people.

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