Voluntary lockdown measures for Wolverhampton after Covid cases surge again
People in Wolverhampton have been asked to follow new voluntary lockdown restrictions after a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Council bosses have asked residents not to meet others from outside their households or support bubble in homes and gardens, mirroring measures brought in for Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull.
The restrictions for Wolverhampton are voluntary, and have been brought in by the city council in a bid to stem a growing infection rate.
However, it is understood the measures could be made enforceable at the end of this week unless cases start to fall.
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NHS figures out today for the seven days to September 12 show Wolverhampton has 138 new cases at a rate of 52.7 per 100,000 population.
Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield, said: “We’ve seen a massive increase in Covid-19 infection rates in Wolverhampton over the last fortnight and we need everyone to redouble their efforts to stop the spread of the virus if we are to save lives and sustain our economic recovery.
“We are already having conversations with Government about our increasing infection rate and want to avoid having to reintroduce more restrictive lockdown measures if we can possibly help it.
“That’s why we’re asking residents to do everything they can to help, now. We know that the virus is primarily spreading within and between households, so we need people to stay in their household or family bubble wherever possible.
“If you must mix with other households, please do so safely by observing social distancing at all times and following the so-called ‘rule of six’.
"Our advice focuses on household-to-household contact, as the evidence doesn't point to an increase in transmission in workplaces, schools or other settings at this stage
"And we don't want to stop people going about their daily business, so long as they can do it safely. For instance, you can go to a restaurant or pub, or the shops, as a household or bubble.
"At the same time, it’s really important that businesses help people to remain in their household or bubbles – for instance by pubs and restaurants ensuring family groups have enough space to keep their distance from one another, and by employers enabling social distancing where required.
"We know how hard it is for everyone to keep up the fight against Covid-19, but we’ve seen further restrictions introduced in other parts of the West Midlands and, unless we all do our bit to stop the spread of the virus locally, we will face a similar lockdown here in Wolverhampton in the near future."
Tougher
Health chiefs believe that 90 per cent of new cases in the city have been down to people meeting in houses.
MPs in the city urged members of the public to stick to the new restrictions.
Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, said: "Together with the city council and the Government, we have been doing all we can to make sure we have the right measures in place to keep people safe.
"Cases are rocketing in the city and people are not taking it seriously enough. I welcome these measures and hope it is enough to stop the spread of the virus.
"If this doesn't work we will be in line for even tougher restrictions and people in the city will be faced with a very harsh winter."
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, said: “With infection rates rising it is understandable why these measures have been introduced.
"I know people have already been through a lot but I would appeal to members of the public to abide by the new restrictions.
"It’s in everyone’s interests for us to get on top of this renewed spread of the virus."
Under the new measures, people are asked not to meet others who are not in their household or support bubble, either indoors or in private gardens.
People can still go out to shops, restaurants, pubs and other venues, in a maximum group of six from more than one household.
