Council leader speaks out after Hemel Hempstead and Dacorum plunged into tier 3 restrictions

The Government has now announced that Dacorum, East Herts, North Herts, St Albans, Stevenage and Welwyn and Hatfield will move to the ‘Very High’ level (Tier 3) of local COVID alert categories from 00.01 on Saturday, December 19.

This means that the whole of Hertfordshire will be in the highest risk category, following the moves of Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford into Tier 3 earlier this week.

Read: Coronavirus latest: Hemel Hempstead will move into 'very high' Tier 3 - here's everything you need to knowDavid Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “In recent weeks, we have been stressing the fundamental importance of everyone in Hertfordshire following the rules and guidance around social contact and distancing, wearing face-coverings when required and washing your hands regularly.

"The message remains clear and exactly the same – we must all stay disciplined and stick to the guidance and rules if we are to improve the situation in our county.

“It is vital that we all now redouble these efforts, particularly as we all plan for how we will follow the guidance over the Christmas and New Year period, including the ‘Christmas bubble’ rules, which are in place from 23 to 27 December.

"Before then, it is also imperative that we reduce or even avoid social contact with other people who are not in our household or existing support bubble.

"We fully recognise the huge impact this move into Tier 3 will have on families and businesses.

"Across Hertfordshire, Local Government, the National Health Service, the Local Enterprise Partnership and many other partners have plans in place to do all we can to support our communities.

"Ultimately, we must all keep playing our part to help reduce the number of cases in the county and take the key steps towards resuming our normal lives.”

Hertfordshire has seen a significant increase in the number of cases in 12 to 16-year-olds and would therefore urge parents/carers to have a conversation with your child to make sure they understand, and are following, the Government regulations to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The actions you and your family can take to play your part are:

- Wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and warm water or use an antibacterial hand sanitiser if soap and water isn’t available

- Stay at least 2 metres (or 1 metre with other measures, such as a face-covering) away from those not in your immediate household

- Wear a face-covering where required and when it is difficult to socially distance

- Self-isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.

People are advised to get a test if they develop any of these symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

They should either order a test kit or book a test at one of the drive-through testing centres.

For additional help to book a coronavirus test, call 119 between 7am and 11pm. Textphone / minicom users with hearing or speech difficulties, call 18001 0300 303 2713.