Barnsley in a “critical position” as South Yorkshire enters tier three restrictions

All of South Yorkshire is set to enter the strictest tier of restrictions after the national lockdown lifts on December 2.

Matt Hancock today announced that the area will be placed into tier three restrictions next week, which means that pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants must remain closed, no meeting indoors with other households, and all entertainment venues must remain closed, including cinemas and museums.

However, the restrictions differ from the national lockdown – gyms, hairdressers and personal care businesses will be allowed to reopen, and up to six people may meet outdoors in public.

Julia Burrows, Barnsley’s director of public health thanked residents following the announcement, and urged everyone to play their part in keeping infections down.

Ms Burrows said: “I want to start this message with a big thank you to everyone who has been working hard to do the right thing and prevent transmission in our communities – we have recently seen our rates coming down and this is good news.

“However, we still have some way to go before we are on an equal footing with other areas of the country and the fact that our rates are still high means coming out of lockdown is a potentially dangerous time for us.   

“I recognise that this is still a tough time for lots of people, and we still have to make significant adjustments to our everyday lives. However, we continue to follow all the guidance in place, to keep people safe and well and to limit the number of people who become seriously ill.  

 ” It’s in our human nature to want to meet and talk to people, especially as we are coming up to the festive period. 

“Although our COVID-19 rates are going in the right direction, I urge you to really think about who you need to meet up with, especially if they’re vulnerable.  

“We are still in a critical position, and as we’ve seen in the past few months, things can change very quickly.

“We must all remember that if the transmission of COVID-19 grows again, so will infections, severe illness, hospital pressures and deaths, and December and January are the highest risk months for all this."

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