Could all of Sussex be heading for tier 4 coronavirus restrictions?

Soaring coronavirus infection rates across Sussex could see the whole of the county under more strict social restrictions in the near future.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

UPDATE: Sussex will enter tier 4 from Boxing Day. Read more here

Every local authority in the county has seen its cases rise over the last week, including dramatic surges in areas such as Eastbourne, Brighton and Adur.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With West Sussex and parts of East Sussex best on all sides by areas in tier 4, it seems to be a matter of time before the whole county joins Hastings and Rother under more draconian measures.

The latest figures show the majority of areas in Sussex now have a higher than average coronavirus infection rate – the number of positive cases per 100,000 people.

Compared to the previous week, cases in Adur for the week ending December 18 have more than trebled, while Eastbourne and Lewes are not far behind.

The infection rates in Brighton, Wealden, Mid Sussex and Arun have all doubled and Worthing, Crawley and Chichester have all seen rises of almost 100 per cent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Horsham is the one outlier, with cases increasing by 25 per cent.

National media outlets are now predicting tier 4 awaits for all of Sussex after Christmas, despite currently sitting in tier 2.

That would mean households could still mix for Christmas Day as planned, but after that the county would essentially be placed back into lockdown.

Government ministers are scheduled to meet today to discuss tightening of restrictions across the country.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A new strain of coronavirus has seen cases across the south skyrocket, leading to dozens of European countries closing their borders to the UK.

This mutant variant, which is not expected to lessen the effects of the vaccine, is thought to be around 70 per cent more contagious.

The latest infection rates, for the week ending December 18, are listed below.

All figures are from Public Health England and, for context, the average coronavirus rate in England is 223.

Wealden: 351.8 per 100,000 – increase of 130%

Eastbourne: 285.4 per 100,000 – increase of 175%

Mid-Sussex: 285.4 per 100,000 – increase of 114%

Lewes: 265.3 per 100,000 – increase of 156%

Adur: 264.4 per 100,000 – increase of 215%

Crawley: 260.7 per 100,000 – increase of 93%

Arun: 227.7 per 100,000 – increase of 104%

Brighton and Hove: 216.2 per 100,000 – increase of 120%

Worthing: 137.5 per 100,000 – increase of 90%

Chichester: 143.6 per 100,000 – increase of 83%

Horsham: 127.3 per 100,000 – increase of 25%

Restrictions for tier 4 areas are as follows:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

- Residents should stay at home, unless they have a “reasonable excuse” such as work or education

- All non-essential shops must close

- Hairdressers and nail bars must close

- Indoor entertainment venues must close

- Gyms and indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts and dance studios must close

- You cannot meet other people indoors, unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble

- People should not leave tier four areas or travel abroad, except for limited reasons (including work and education)

- Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are only allowed in exceptional circumstances