'Strong possibility" pubs and restaurants and entertainment venues will have to close again in Milton Keynes in two days' time, says council leader

Pete Marland says the Covid infection rate in the city has continued to deterioriate rapidly and now stands at 216 people per 100,000 population.

This is a rise of more than 50 per cent over the past week alone. Today alone, more than 200 people have tested postive..

The hospital has more covid patients than its ever had before and is working "flat out" to cope, said Pete.

"The increase in Milton Keynes is greater than most other local authorities. The number of cases, the speed it is spreading and the number of people in hospital is concerning. There is a strong possibility we will go into tier 3. We will know more over the next few days."

Over the weekend alone, there were 278 new cases in MK. Over the past 24 hours there have been a massive 214 more, bringing the total to 5,195 since the start of the pandemic.

Pete said the virus was being spread through "general community transmission" and is urging people to avoid social contact outside of their won home or support bubble.

But the council will NOT be closing schools in MK en masse this week as it felt such action, at such short notice, would not help, said Pete. Instead they will be flexible and consider each school's case individually.

He said the 'magic bullet' to lowering the city's infection rate was avoiding unnecessary contact and sticking to the 'face, hands, space' rules by wearing masks, washing hands properly and keeping a distance from others.

The government is due to decide on Wednesday which areas need to go into Tier 3, which is very high alert.

Tier 3 areas ARE permitted to keep non-essential shops open but all hospitality settings such as bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services.

People living in tier 3 areas are not allowed to meet anyone outside of their household or social people, whether the meeting is indoors or outdoors.

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