Covid-19 tiers: Essex to stay in tier 2 after lockdown

All of Essex will be in tier two after lockdown - the same level most of the county was in before national restrictions were imposed

All of Essex will be in tier two when England's second lockdown ends on 2 December, it has been announced.

People in this tier cannot socialise with other households indoors.

The rule of six will apply to gatherings outdoors and pubs and restaurants will shut at 23:00 GMT and only be allowed to serve alcohol as part of meal.

Before the second lockdown, most of the county was in tier two but Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea were in tier one.

Spectators will be allowed to sporting and live events, but numbers will be more limited than those allowed in tier one areas.

Conserrvative county councillor John Spence, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "We understand that going back into tier two will be hard for many, but we must all work together, follow the restrictions in order to save further lives and continue to protect our NHS."

He said there was now "a clear incentive" to bring case rates down so the county could be placed in tier one when the decision was reviewed on 16 December.

Mr Spence said the tier two restrictions before the second lockdown "had a positive impact" on the rates of Covid-19.

Sir Bernard Jenkin he is trying to get help for pubs that do not serve food, which cannot open in tier two restrictions

Conservative MP for Harwich and North Essex, Bernard Jenkin, said: "Obviously I'm as disappointed as anybody could be that we're not in a fit enough state to go into tier one."

His colleague, MP for Southend West, David Amess, said he was "very disappointed... because I did lobby for tier one".

"I'm just hoping they will have another look at it."

Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Borough Council, said the town had "worked hard" to get its Covid-19 cases down

The government said the rationale for putting Essex into tier two was that cases in the county were at 159 per 100,000 people but the rate in over-60s was 100 cases per 100,000 and falling.

Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Borough Council, said the town had been "lumped together" with parts of the county which have higher rates of cases.

The Liberal Democrat said: "We wouldn't be in this mess with death rates as high as the first peak if government had got test and trace working."

'Cautious first step'

Labour leader of Southend Borough Council, Ian Gilbert, said he was "not surprised" Essex was placed in tier two.

He said: "Clearly the government's come to a decision that tougher restrictions are still needed in almost of the country."

The case rate of Covid-19 in Basildon was above the England-wide average in the week to 21 November and has risen week-on-week.

Neighbouring Brentwood, where the rate has fallen, is also above the England average, as is Thurrock where the rate has risen.

Epping Forest is also above the England average and the rate there has stayed the same week-on-week.

Tier two rules mean football clubs can have up to 2,000 spectators at matches.

Colchester United owner and chairman Robbie Cowling said bringing back supporters "must be safe and as I have said that will mean taking a cautious first step".

He said the club would have up to 1,000 fans at its home game against Grimsby on 5 December.

Colchester United played Southend United in the Football League Trophy behind closed doors earlier this month

Matches at elite level in England has been played behind closed doors since the return of football after the first lockdown.

Southend United, in League Two alongside Colchester, said it was delighted "with the prospect of 2,000 fans returning".

It said it would be working "to ensure the safe return of supporters to the stadium as soon as possible".

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