South Yorkshire councils could come out of the Tier 3 restrictions individually, says Doncaster mayor Ros Jones

South Yorkshire mayor Dan Jarvis announced Government would provide £30million to help businesses and another £11million to help public health teams with Test and Trace.

The borough, along with other parts of South Yorkshire will be placed into Tier 3 restrictions on Saturday at 00:01.

Mayor Jones said: “I appreciate that being in this highest tier is not where we want to be as a borough and people have been working hard to keep our infection rates down and made a lot of sacrifices over the last few months.

“But we, like the rest of South Yorkshire, are in this category, for a reason – the infection rates are not going down or even levelling off.

“Very High Tier 3 will mean tighter restrictions for the borough and we must all collectively do our bit to get the infection rate down.

“I argued successfully to ensure that local councils could individually come out of restrictions, if they met the necessary levels at the end of the four week period when the tier category will be reviewed.

“I do want Doncaster to come out of this sooner rather than later so it is imperative we all work together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our communities and the NHS.

“Equally I was keen to keep leisure centres and gyms open so that our residents are able to stay healthy.”

Mr Jarvis also confirmed that individual councils may be able to come out of the Tier 3 restrictions if the number of Covid-19 cases are sufficiently reduced in his statement to announce the restrictions.

He said: “While infection rates vary across South Yorkshire, collective action was the only practical choice to keep everyone in our region safe. If restrictions are effective, individual local authorities will be able to move to lower alert levels as soon as it is safe to do so, in consultation with fellow local leaders, myself and national government.”

The restrictions mean:

- People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events

- People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue

- All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals

- People should try to avoid travelling outside the Very High alert level or entering a Very High alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey

Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High alert area

In addition, the following restrictions will also apply in South Yorkshire. Betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres will close.

Gym classes will not be allowed and social distancing guidelines should be followed between people from different households but gyms will remain open.

Latest figures show cases in Doncaster are on the rise with an infection rate of 316 per 100,000.

Doncaster Council’s Conservative group leader Coun Jane Cox, said the move into Tier 3 ‘is the right thing for Doncaster’.

Coun Cox added: “I believe, at this time, given the rates are rising that this is the right thing for Doncaster.

“Protecting local people across Doncaster is of the utmost importance to every single one of us. Every elected official, rightly, wants the best for Doncaster.

“I am pleased the Mayor, Ros Jones, has worked hard and engaged constructively to seek a support package for our borough.

“We know residents are concerned about Doncaster being included in the Sheffield City Region but the mayor has secured a review for Doncaster borough in the coming weeks.

“Tier 3 won’t be easy but we need to stick together and work together to keep our town safe and look after the vulnerable.’

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