Coronavirus case rate in Milton Keynes hits 400 for the first time as city prepares for Tier 4

    The coronavirus case rate in Milton Keynes has hit 400 cases per 100,000 for the first time as the city prepares for Tier 4 restrictions from tonight.

    An additional 202 people tested positive in Milton Keynes on Saturday bringing the total number of people with the virus since the start of the pandemic to 6,194.

    The case rate in the city now stands at 400.4 cases per 100,000 people.

    For comparison, the case rate in Bedford is 294.3, 292.4 in Central Bedfordshire, 361.9 in Luton and 266.2 in Buckinghamshire (excluding MK).

    Milton Keynes moved from Tier 2 to Tier 3 restrictions at midnight this morning, but is now set to jump to Tier 4 from midnight tonight.

    The Prime Minister announced the move for our city at a press conference this afternoon.

    The new rules mean that all non-essential retail in Milton Keynes must close at the end of today, as well as gyms and hairdressers across the city.

    People in our area will be told to 'stay at home' under the rules except under limited exceptions - for example if you can't work from home, for education, childcare or exercise.

    In addition, people in Milton Keynes will not be allowed 'Christmas bubbles' with other households thanks to the Tier 4 rules.

    People should not stay overnight away from your home or go abroad on holiday.

    And people outside Tier 4 areas are being advised not to enter an area inside the new restrictions.

    The rules mean that only one person from a a household can meet with another person from a different household outside, but exemptions for support and childcare bubbles continue.

    Mr Johnson has said the new variant of the virus is behind the changes which "could increase the R by 0.4 or more", although there is still considerable uncertainty.

    These are the Tier 4 rules in full:

    • Stay at home - this will be put into law so fines will apply if you do not have a relevant excuse
    • Exemptions include people needing to travel for education, childcare and exercise
    • Unlimited exercise allowed outdoors
    • Do not enter Tier 4 areas from other areas and do not leave Tier 4
    • Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home
    • Work from home if you can
    • Gyms closed
    • Non-essential retail closed
    • Indoor leisure closed
    • Indoor entertainment closed
    • Personal care sector closed
    • Communal worship can take place
    • One person can meet just one other person from another household outside - exemptions for support and childcare bubbles
    • Do not travel abroad apart from if needed for work

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