17th December 2020
Dear Member
COVID-19 UPDATE
England – the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has today announced that the following areas will move into Tier 3 on Saturday:
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Peterborough
- Hertfordshire
- Surrey – except Waverley
- Hastings and Rother
- Portsmouth
- Gosport
- Havant
Bristol and North Somerset have dropped down to Tier 2 and Herefordshire to Tier 1.
Scotland – Scotland Region Chairman, Joseph Cullis and I met with the Scottish Government this morning. The lobbying by bacta and by members has got the case for Arcades to open in Level 3 areas in front of Ministers and we will hear whether we have been successful at the January 6th Review date. We pressed on all our other concerns and requests, particularly around the supply chain, which were noted. Evidence of the refusal of councils to award grants to single site suppliers has been provided to the SG and the issue is being discussed as is our request for an extension of the rates relief.
Wales – Members are reminded that we have a Regional Zoom call at 9.30 tomorrow. If anyone needs the link please contact Theresa.
Kind regards,
John