South Staffordshire residents urged to follow rules to avoid tighter virus restrictions
Councillors in South Staffordshire have urged people and businesses to follow the rules to avoid tighter coronavirus restrictions.
Council chiefs have made the plea after the district was placed in the lowest "medium" tier in the Government's new system.
It comes as the seven-day infection rate now stands at 120.07 per 100,000 people, bosses at the authority have confirmed.
Brian Edwards MBE, leader of the South Staffordshire District Council, said: "We need to protect our district and avoid the additional restrictions that are already affecting places like our close neighbours Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
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"It’s challenging for everyone, but we all need to work together – failing to do so will see infection rates rise further and, inevitably, more restrictions being imposed on the district.
"There is still a long way to go and the threat of the virus has not diminished. Seeing the number of cases of Covid-19 rising in our communities over the last few weeks is very concerning and we need to act now to control the spread of the virus over these next crucial weeks and months ahead to protect our district, the vulnerable in our communities and our economy."
Dave Heywood, chief executive at the authority, recorded a short video message on social media to residents urging to follow the current Government restrictions.
He highlighted the importance of washing hands, wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing and following the rule of six in the district to curb the virus spread.
Restrictions had been announced on Monday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in order to tackle surging cases – with nearby areas in the West Midlands seeing increased measures.
Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Birmingham have been placed into the second "high" tier which bans people from mixing with anyone outside their household in any inside setting.
