Cornwall in Tier 1 but we’re not out of the woods yet

The announcement that Cornwall will be placed in Tier 1 at the end of the current Covid-19 lockdown is good news for the shops, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, gyms and hairdressers that will be allowed to re-open on 3rd December. Schools and nurseries will remain open, but restrictions on the numbers allowed at social gatherings, sports events, weddings and funerals, are still in place.

Full details of the Tier 1 guidelines can be found HERE.

There is still some lack of clarity around the hotels, guest houses, holiday lets and caravan parks in Cornwall's all-important tourism industry. The government is only 'advising' against travel into lower tier areas such as Cornwall from Tier 3 regions (which includes Bristol, Gloucestershire, Kent and large parts of the Midlands and North of England) and overnight stays are 'discouraged'.

With the Isle of Wight being England's only other Tier 1 area, Cornwall will be the obvious focus for those seeking a winter staycation. While the long-suffering tourism sector is sorely in need of a boost, retaining Cornwall's Tier 1 status must remain the top priority.

Truro and Falmouth Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesperson, Ruth Gripper said:

"I'm really pleased that Cornwall has been placed in Tier 1 today, particularly for our small local businesses who have had to contend with so much this year. But we're clearly not out of the woods yet and even under Tier 1 there are still significant restrictions that will continue to affect people's lives and businesses.

"We all need to keep doing everything we can to avoid any major increase in infections that would see Cornwall facing the much more serious restrictions now affecting other parts of the country, and which would be devastating for local businesses."

In Westminster, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Munira Wilson commented:

"The country is desperate to get life back to normal, particularly given how much has already been sacrificed.

"For months, Liberal Democrats have been urging the Government to get to grips with test, trace and isolate. Getting that right is the best hope we have until a vaccine is ready. Their failure to deliver is why we are where we are.

"Given less than 50% of people understood the rules last time, it is clear the Government has created confusion with their botched communications. In addition to much needed mass testing, Ministers must listen to local authorities and finally start being clear and honest with the public."