Coronavirus: Portsmouth in 'medium' tier of lockdown system but council leader says rules don't go far enough

Portsmouth is in the ‘medium’ level in the new three tier lockdown system announced by the prime minister today, Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson confirmed to The News but the councillor doesn’t think Boris Johnson’s new rules will work.

The ‘medium’ level, which is lowest category, means the 10pm hospitality curfew and the rule of six are still in place. It is thought areas with fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people will be placed under level 1 restrictions.

Areas on the high alert level will mean households are banned from mixing but support bubbles will be allowed.

Pubs and bars in areas under the very high alert level will have to close unless they can operate as a restaurant. Social mixing will be prohibited indoors and in private gardens.

People will also be advised against travel in and out of the areas.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘We are in the lowest category which is what we thought would happen.

‘I think the idea behind it was to simplify the rules so people know what they should be doing.

‘But I am not sure it goes far enough. If you look at places where local lockdowns have been in place it has not brought it down enough. I think we will have to go back to a national lockdown.’

Portsmouth had an infection rate of 67 per 100,000 with 144 new cases in the seven days to October 9. An increase on a rate of 36.3 in the seven days to October 2.

SEE ALSO: Fewer close contacts of people with coronavirus in Portsmouth and in Hampshire are being reached

Cllr Vernon-Jackson added: ‘I think people in Portsmouth have worked very hard to keep infections low and they are really doing a very good job. People have been wearing masks and keep socially distanced.

‘We should not get complacent. My message is wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.’

Each local authority area will be placed in a local Covid alert level by the end of today, Downing Street said.

Schools, non-essential retail and universities will remain open in all levels.

A postcode checker will be launched on the Government’s website to advise people what guidance applies to their area.

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