Bracknell Forest Council’s leader says the borough’s tier 2 placement following the end of lockdown will be “frustrating” for residents who have played their part in reducing the spread of the virus. 

The placement puts the borough is at a ‘high-alert’ level despite Bracknell Forest having the lowest infection rate of all areas in Berkshire at 87.3 per 100,000 people over the past seven days. 

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Tier two restrictions will mean stricter measures for meeting people and for visiting hospitality venues. 

Cllr Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Cllr Paul Bettison OBE, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council and Chairman of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said: “The recent national restrictions have seen a drop in cases in Bracknell Forest and so I’d like to thank residents for consistently playing their part in reducing the spread of the virus and doing all they can to keep their loved ones safe.

“Despite our current rate being lower than the regional and national average and one of the lowest in Berkshire, we have been placed in tier 2 ‘high’ risk by the Government. 

“I know that this will be frustrating for many of our residents and we understand that frustration. Unfortunately, councils have not been involved in discussions around which tier they have been placed in by Government. It is likely we have been placed in this tier due to our geographical proximity to places with much higher transmission rates than our current 87.3 per 100,000 population.

“Despite the frustration we all have a duty to be diligent in protecting ourselves, our families and our friends and our borough by sticking to the rules and keeping up good health and hygiene practices, which have shown to have had a positive impact locally in recent weeks.

 “While the prospect of a vaccine is getting ever closer it is still essential that people get tested if they have symptoms and isolate if they have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive. 

“The hands, face, space message is still key, and this had now been enhanced with the addition of ventilate and isolate.  It has been recognised that the majority of the spread is through household transmission and keeping homes well ventilated can help reduce this spread. 

“The reopening of shops before the festive period is great news, however we urge people to be mindful of social distancing and respectful of other shoppers.  We all want to enjoy this time and by following the advice we can work together to stay safe.”

Bracknell Forest will enter tier 2 restrictions following the end of national lockdown on Wednesday, December 2