Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “The rapid rise in infections is alarming so it’s only right the Government is taking measures to bring the number of cases down to protect public health.
“However, with more areas moving into higher tiers even more businesses face insurmountable pressure after such a tough year.
“While some retailers and entertainment venues have already taken precautionary measures by deciding to close, many others will lose out from one of the busiest periods of the year which brings in billions of pounds.
“Tighter covid restrictions have already been a huge setback for firms and this will be felt even more by those who have now spent much of the year under them. The extension of Government-backed business loans and the furlough scheme will provide some certainty and respite for those under new tiers.
“But the Government should revisit support in January to ensure businesses across the UK make it through beyond Spring. Efforts to speed up mass rapid testing and vaccine rollout will help reopen the economy safely, but it is clear challenges will continue well into next year.”
Following the Health Secretary’s announcement, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner said: “Sadly I think it is the right decision for Cambridge to go into Tier 4. The new strain of the virus is spreading very quickly, Addenbrooke's is super-busy and more people are getting ill.
"Hopes were raised around availability of vaccines earlier this month but right now we need to take maximum care.”
Cambridgeshiire & Peterborough Combined Authority issued this notice:
The following businesses must close:
- Non-essential retail - these venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect and delivery services
- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery
- Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites, except for specific circumstances
- Leisure centres and indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts, indoor fitness and dance studios, indoor riding centres, and indoor climbing walls
- Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues
- Indoor play and soft play centres
- Personal care facilities
The following businesses can remain open:
- Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
- Market stalls selling essential retail
- Petrol stations, automatic (but not manual) car washes, vehicle repair and MOT services, bicycle shops, and taxi and vehicle hire businesses
- Banks, building societies, post offices, short-term loan providers and money transfer businesses
- Funeral directors
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Medical and dental services
- Vets and pet shops
- Agricultural supplies shops
- Mobility and disability support shops
- Outdoor playgrounds
- Outdoor gym, pools, sports courts and facilities
- Golf courses
- Outdoor riding centres
What you can and cannot do in Tier 4 areas>>>
A message from Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Peterborough
Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Cambridgeshire, is urging people to follow the tier 4 rules and to seek help if they need it from the network of support hubs across the county or the many charities and community support groups.
“All of the new Tier 4 restrictions placed on Cambridgeshire and elsewhere in England are aimed to achieve just one thing - that is to reduce people’s contact with anyone outside their household /support bubble to the absolute minimum, as it is contact with other people which spreads the virus. It’s also important to be even more rigorous about observing the ‘hands, face, space’ rules that we are all familiar with and to make sure rooms are well ventilated.
“It is more essential than ever that people stay home and reduce their contact with anyone that they don’t live with so they don’t come into contact with this new, and much easier to catch, variety of Covid 19.
“Don’t invite anyone in your home you don’t normally live with or who isn’t in your existing support bubble and only leave home for essential reasons - for example to work if you can’t work from home, to attend medical appointments, to buy food, and for other essential reasons described in national tier 4 guidance.
“When you go out for one of these reasons, remember to stay away from crowded places, keep 2 metres away from anyone you don’t live with, wear a face covering when required and wash or sanitise your hands frequently. Exercise is important for wellbeing and you can go out to exercise alone, with people you live with, or with one other person you don’t live with providing this is in a public place like a park.
“Many people will be feeling sad or upset about recent developments and for some this could mean a significant effect on their mental health.
“Please look out for neighbours and friends who may be alone or under specific pressures and even though you can’t meet physically – ring or contact them online.
“There is support for those who may be lonely or isolated, or who suddenly need very practical support– and I would encourage them to phone the countywide co-ordination hub on 0345 045 5219.
“For anyone whose mental health is being more severely impacted, there is the Lifeline support number 0808 808 2121 which operates daily from 11am to 11pm and for people with a mental health crisis you can phone the NHS 111 number and ask for Option 2. More information about mental health support is available on the Keep Your Head website www.keep-your-head.com.”