Local lockdown fears remain in South Tyneside - this is when watch list review will be announced

The borough was added to the government’s virus watch list last week following a surge in confirmed cases, with bosses ‘almost certain’ it will remain under close scrutiny.

But they have also raised the prospect of it being placed in a more serious category, although ministers are not expected to be at the stage of proposing a local lockdown in the area.

“Our position on the government watch list will be reviewed by the secretary of state tomorrow (Thursday, September 10), with further changes announced on Friday (September 11),” said Tom Hall, director of public health at South Tyneside Council.

“It’s almost certain we’re going to remain on the watch list as an area of concern, but it’s also possible we may move up the list to an area requiring additional support.

“This will mean we will get extra and enhanced support from the central government and we may need to implement further measures of restrictions, but obviously we will be communicating widely if we’re required to do so.”

Hall was speaking at this a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet on Wednesday September 9, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

There were 16 new cases reported in the daily figures for the borough for September 9.

In rolling seven-day figures announced on September 9, South Tyneside’s infection rate rose slightly from 46.4 to 54.3.

Mr Hall said there had been ‘quite a jump’ in cases in the borough in recent weeks.

The chief was speaking as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions on people in England gathering socially, with groups of no more than six permitted either indoors or outdoors, with certain exceptions.

Mr Hall added: “We want to make sure we don’t end up [like Leicester or the North West], so we’re calling on everyone to keep doing the simple things to stop the spread of the virus and avoid additional measures.”

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