Health minister Matt Hancock today announced that Suffolk, including the Felixstowe area, will go into Tier Two when the lockdown ends next week.

Despite figures in the county being among the lowest in the country, East Suffolk has suffered a number of cases over the past month, and Mr Hancock has said in order to protect the NHS, Suffolk will go into Tier Two.

The new tier system, unveiled by the PM earlier this week, features changes to each tier following analysis of how well the former measures worked pre-lockdown.

The new rules will come into effect when the current national lockdown ends at midnight on Wednesday, 2 December. At this time, non-essential shops, as well as gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons in in all tiers can re-open. Places of worship will be open and weddings can resume, operating within local restrictions.

Suffolk's current COVID infection rates, local hotspots and pressure on hospitals are among the reasons why the county will enter tier two local restrictions on Wednesday 2 December.

Following today's decision by central Government to place Suffolk in the High Alert tier, public sector organisations in Suffolk have set out their goal to get the county out of local restrictions as quickly as possible. They have also moved to help residents, business owners and employees to understand the restrictions that will apply across the county, and the reasons for them.

Whilst Suffolk has so far seen comparatively lower levels of infection than elsewhere in the region and country, the current infection rate (85 cases per 100,000 people) is more than double what it was when Suffolk entered tier one on 14 October (35 cases per 100,000 people). At the beginning of September, there were just 5 cases per 100,000 people. Parts of Suffolk, especially in Ipswich and Hadleigh, are seeing much higher numbers of positive COVID cases than anticipated. This all puts pressure on Suffolk's hospitals which need to protect Suffolk's vulnerable residents whilst still treating non-COVID patients. There were 116 COVID patients in Suffolk hospital beds as at 23 November.

Stuart Keeble, Suffolk's director of public health, said:

"I fully understand that many people will be disappointed that Suffolk has not emerged from the national restrictions in a lower tier, or indeed no tier at all. I am too. Suffolk has done well at keeping our infection rates lower than many other areas in the country, and for that, I would like to thank people for what they have done.

"The facts facing us today are clear however. With current infection rates and pressure being put in health services, we need to do more of what we have been doing. We need to stick with it.

"We know what we need to do to get Suffolk back on track. Every one of us needs to keep following the rules to stop the spread of COVID-19. We need to ensure our hospitals can continue to care for people who urgently need help, including those without COVID. We need to be responsible today for a better tomorrow."

Rachel Kearton, Suffolk's deputy chief constable and chair of the group of public sector organisations leading the fight against COVID-19 in the county, said:

"This week's news about the success of COVID vaccine trials shows us clearly that there is light at the end of this tunnel, but there is still some way to go.

"Suffolk has been at the forefront of following Government guidance and it is precisely that which has kept infection rates relevantly low for so long.

"Now is not the time to give up and deviate from our course. Now is precisely the time to keep following the rules and stop the spread of COVID-19 so that we can get back to the social freedoms we miss so very much."

From Wednesday 2 December 2020, people in Suffolk will be able to:

Meet a maximum of six people from other households outdoors

Go to pubs and bars operating as restaurants with people from your household or support bubble, consuming alcohol but only with a substantial meal

Go shopping but whilst wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and respecting social distancing rules

Attend schools, college or university

Make use of early years childcare

Go to the gym or leisure centre, whilst following their guidance

Get a haircut or personal care treatments, whilst following their guidance

Stay overnight with their household or support bubble

Attend a wedding, civil partnership or wake of up to 15 guests or funerals of up to 30 mourners

Attend entertainment and sporting events, whilst following their guidance and capacity limits

Visit places of worship, whilst following their guidance

Take part in exercise classes or organised adult sport outdoors

Visit a loved one in a care or nursing home, if allowed locally and whilst following their guidance

Until the position changes, we will not be able to:

Meet people from other households or support bubbles indoors

Visit pubs and bars not serving food

Stay overnight with people from another household or support bubble

Exercise indoors with people from another household or support bubble if there is any interaction between them

Everyone is encouraged to work from home and limit their journeys where possible.

• Felixstowe Nub News continues its support for the community and all its businesses during these testing times with our FREE and easy to use virtual Christmas market, open to everyone.