New: Decision on Harrogate's Tier 1 hopes as results of Government review are announced

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Hopes were never very high of North Yorkshire being brought into Tier 1 in advance of today's announcement even though the infection rate had dropped significantly in the county in the last month and, in particular, in Harrogate.

In context of growing warnings from all sides about not making too much of the relaxation of meeting different households for five days over Christmas to avoid a third spike of coronavirous this winter, the local authorities in this area were never hopeful or too keen on moving to Tier 1, despite the damaging impact to Harrogate's hospitality sector of Tier 2.

Today's decision means West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hull and East Yorkshire will remain in tier three - very high alert restrictions.

Meanwhile, York and North Yorkshire will remain in tier two - high alert.

Harrogate’s Covid figures may be falling significantly, in line with the trend in most parts of North Yorkshire, but the area’s leaders remain focused on keeping the figures down and keeping people safe.

In the run-up to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock's decision today on the 3 Tier system, Richard Webb, the county’s Corporate Director of Health and Adult Services confirmed that North Yorkshire’s infection rate had now fallen to 101 cases per 100,000, well below the national average of 202.9.

But, he stressed, it was vital to avoid a third spike in the virus in the winter weeks to come, traditionally the worst time of the year for the NHS.

Mr Webb said: “We are getting a sense in our communications with the Government this week of a very cautious approach to changes. To avoid a third spike people need to continue to minimise social contacts even when the rules are relaxed for five days at Christmas.”

The latest seven-day figures show Harrogate’s infection rate down to 81.5, a huge decrease from 277 in early November, at the start of the second lockdown.

Harrogate Borough Council leader, Coun Richard Cooper said: “It would be great for our district to go back into Tier 1 if that was justified by the medical advice but I think this is unlikely before Christmas because the situation is so changeable and the need to keep rates going down is still crucial.”

England moved back to a tiered system of restrictions on December 2 with 99% of the country placed in the two highest levels.

Any changes made to the tiers would kick in this Saturday. The next tier review will take place on Wednesday, December 30.

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