Staffordshire set to move to ‘High’ Covid Alert Level

Staffordshire will join Stoke-on-Trent in the ‘High’ Covid Alert Level from tomorrow (Saturday).

Despite great efforts from residents and businesses, the City Council, the County Council and a wide range of partners to keep our county safe and open, cases continue to rise rapidly and we are now facing tighter restrictions.

Read the county council media release here.

The main difference between ‘Medium’ and ‘High’ is the additional laws on households mixing indoors.

When Staffordshire moves into ‘High’,  it means the following for businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent:

It is against the law for people to meet anywhere indoors – unless they live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.  Businesses must ensure the customers do not socially meet in their premises with people from outside of their household or support bubble

Outdoors, people can meet in groups of up to 6 people (including children of any age) from other households, which includes pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues and places of worship.

People should aim to reduce journeys and work from home where possible. This is in addition to the current ‘Medium’ restrictions. The measures will be reviewed every 14 days to consider whether they are still appropriate.

READ FULL ‘ HIGH’ GUIDANCE

Additional sources of help for businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent:

• The new ‘JSS Open’ scheme – enhanced support from the Job Support Scheme particularly aimed at businesses in ‘High’ to help retain employees. For those businesses that are not forced to close but can show that the restrictions are having a considerable impact on revenue. MORE on the ‘JSS Open’ scheme
• New grant – Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire’s district and borough councils will have access to the new ‘Local Restrictions Support Grant’ to support businesses in ‘High’ areas that are not legally forced to close but are severely impacted by the restrictions.  Depending on the rateable value of each business, businesses could get grants of up to £2,100 a month.  This has only just been announced by the government and more details will be communicated by the councils as soon as possible.  MORE on the Local Restrictions Support Grant for ‘High’