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Coronavirus tier 2: Oxford, Luton and Dudley among areas facing new restrictions

 (Independent)
(Independent)

New areas across England, including Oxford City, Luton and Dudley, will move into Tier 2 level Covid restrictions this weekend, the government has announced.

In a statement, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said “decisive action” was needed to combat a “worrying rise” in cases across the country.

The areas face the new restrictions from midnight on Saturday include: East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston-Upon-Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire, Dudley, Staffordshire, Telford and the Wrekin Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales, Derby City, South Derbyshire, the whole of High Peak, Charnwood, Luton and Oxford City.

People living in Tier 2 areas – the second most severe level of restrictions – are banned for mixing households in indoor settings and are advises to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible.

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

"We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the high local Covid alert level this week.

"These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection.

"A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage.