A UK city has been added to a new tier in the system - Tier 1 Plus.

The new restrictions in Bristol will mean tighter enforcement, more local control over test and trace, targeted focus on working adults (aged 30 - 60) and an introduction of Covid marshals to patrol the city.

The Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said if these new measures do not work then Bristol will move into Tiers 2 or 3.

What does Tier 1 Plus involve? 

  • Tighter restrictions which are yet to be confirmed
  • More local control over test and trace
  • Targeted focus on working adults (aged 30 - 60)
  • Introduction of Covid marshals to patrol the city

In a press conference Marvin Rees says going into Tier 1 plus as oppose to Tier 2 is to protect the hospitality sector and people's livelihoods.

He says the new measures will have "targeted actions" to reduce the spread of the virus.

The mayor added there are three parts to the new system: using the date, taking on parts of test and trace, and compliance. It is yet to be confirmed exactly what is included in each part of the restrictions.

Bristol's numbers are now higher than the English average, at 340.7 per 100,00 population.

The council will be introducing eight Covid marshals, which it received extra money for, to ensure measures are followed.

The council is also assessing what level of financial support would be needed in order to support the people of Bristol should they move into Tier 2 restrictions.

The Mayor said the city could move into Tier 1 plus in a matter of days.

What are the latest figures in Brighton?

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove increased by 66 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 2,202 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday in Brighton and Hove, up from 2,136 the same time on Monday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Brighton and Hove now stands at 757 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 1,382.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 22,885 over the period, to 917,575.

​Brighton and Hove's cases were among the 69,021 recorded across the South East, a figure which rose by 1,442 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.

Will Brighton be put into the new Covid tier?

The city is currently in tier one, medium risk, under which the rule of six and enforced closure of hospitality venues at 10pm must be followed.

So far, Bristol is the only city to be put into the new tier, with no mention of anyone else being added.

Earlier this week, a health expert warned that Brighton and Hove "will be at risk of moving to tier two" if the current upward trend in coronavirus cases continues.

The comments were made by director of public health Alistair Hill after a sharp spike in the number of reported virus cases in the city over the weekend.

A move to tier two, "high risk", would mean people in Brighton and Hove were prohibited from socialising with anybody not in their household or support bubble in any indoor setting.