Covid: North Tyneside 'open for business' after confusion

Health chiefs have said North Tyneside is "open for business" after confusion caused by government travel guidelines.

The government had urged people to avoid travelling in and out of the borough to combat the spread of the so-called Indian variant of Covid-19.

The advice sparked major confusion for residents and businesses.

Now the Department for Health has said it will amend advice to say there are no legal restrictions in place but is still asking people to minimise travel.

Wendy Burke, public health director for North Tyneside, said she was "really pleased" the government was updating the guidance, adding: "That's really all we were seeking.

"We wanted to put an end to the confusion and we wanted some clarity for our residents about the statement and the guidance.

"It's great to know that actually there are no travel restrictions, people can continue to come to the borough, our businesses are open and they will continue to welcome visitors as well as residents."

She said people are still being asked to be "really cautious" especially when "meeting people indoors" and should follow the "hands, face and space" mantra.

The guidance advises people in Indian variant hotspots to:

North Tyneside MP Mary Glindon had previously said the advice caused "unnecessary panic and concern when people do not have the facts".

North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn said it had been a "day of confusion" but the "position for North Tyneside is as we were", adding: "We are at the same stage of the roadmap as the rest of the country.

"We have seen throughout the pandemic that clear communications are vital and this confusion has caused stress and anxiety for many people in North Tyneside and the region.

"There was no consultation on this advice, which was wrong.

"With the work we are doing on enhanced testing and additional vaccinations there was never any justification for the suggestion travel should not take place in and out of the borough."

Victoria Bones, who runs The Blind Pig pub and Filthy Bones restaurant in Tynemouth, said she had been "stuck in limbo" all day and still needs "clarity" as to what the updated guidance will actually be.

She said: "Will people have changed their plans, what should they do now?

"There is nothing out there yet to say what the advice has been changed to.

"I'm shaking my head in disbelief. Clarity is still very much needed."

Ms Bones said the pandemic had cost her between £35,000 and £40,000 in overheads, "never mind lost earnings".

By Robert England, BBC data journalist

Although the number of cases in North Tyneside is still relatively low, they are rising, with a 60% increase in the last week.

In the latest data, the area's infection rate was double the national average for England, at about 52 cases per 100,000 people.

This doesn't look as serious when compared with the large rises seen in other parts of the country, such as Bolton, but with pockets of the B.1.617.2 variant found across the borough, public health officials seem to be treating any noticeable increase in cases as a real concern.

According to the latest variant analysis, of the three samples tested in North Tyneside, two were B.1.617.2, though it's difficult to draw too many conclusions from this as not all cases are examined for variants.

In terms of the vaccine, the rollout seems to be moving at pace in the area, with an estimated 90% of the over-40s being given a first jab already.

But rising cases do appear to be spread out across the age groups, and although higher rates are being seen among younger people, who although less likely to be vaccinated, are less likely to become seriously ill from coronavirus - cases among those in their late 30s and early 40s also appear to be seeing a small increase as well.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "We will be updating the guidance for areas where the new Covid-19 variant is spreading to make it clearer we are not imposing local restrictions.

"Instead, we are providing advice on the additional precautions people can take to protect themselves and others in those areas where the new variant is prevalent.

"This includes, wherever possible, trying to meet outdoors rather than indoors, keeping 2m apart from anyone you don't live with and minimising travel in and out the area.

"These are not new regulations but they are some of the ways everyone can help bring the variant under control in their local area."

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