THE LEADER of Oxford City Council has called on communities to ‘pull together’ to slow the spread of coronavirus as the county moves into tough new Tier 4 restrictions.

Susan Brown urged caution to bring under control a virulent new strain of the virus until the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out. But she stressed there was ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ with jabs already being administered.

Oxfordshire has followed much of the rest of the South East in adopting the rigorous Tier 4 restrictions today.

The move comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the county more than doubled in a week. In Oxford, there were 440 recorded cases in the seven days up to December 18 – 58 per cent more than the 279 recorded the previous week.

Cherwell saw a 141 per cent rise in the number of cases from 209 to 503, while West Oxfordshire also saw a jump from 93 to 197 in one week.

Under Tier 4 rules:

  • People must stay at home, except for shopping for food and other essentials, exercise, education, childcare, collecting prescriptions, medical appointments, essential work or to attend a place of worship. Everyone who can work from home should do so.
  • People are forbidden from meeting anyone they do not live with indoors or in a private garden, unless they are part of a support bubble.
  • Travel to other areas is forbidden other than for legally permitted reasons, to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
  • Shops selling non-essential goods and market stalls not selling food must close, along with cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs – though they can serve takeaways, click and collect and delivery orders.
  • Personal care, hair and beauty salons must close, as should entertainment venues, indoor attractions and leisure facilities.

Read more: List of where to buy food in Tier 4

Ms Brown said: “For many of us, Tier 4 restrictions start after we have already experienced what has been a very different Christmas Day, and as we approach the New Year.

“None of us want to be in this situation so it is really important that we follow the guidance, ensure we are not mixing households outside support bubbles and spend New Year’s Eve in our own homes.

“We all wish for a better 2021. To help ensure that, we must all pull together and take steps to slow the spread of the virus over the next few months until the vaccination is fully rolled out. To our Oxford businesses, who have just faced a really challenging Christmas and year, and are worried about the future, I want to reassure them that the council will continue to work to provide all the support we can, while pressing the Government to offer further assistance.

“I am as frustrated as you are about the lack of planning, support and thinking ahead.”

Oxford Mail: City council leader Susan Brown City council leader Susan Brown (Image: Oxford City Council)

She added: “To our residents, and in particular to those who are shielding, I want to remind you that support is available and you do not need to go through this difficult time alone.

“I know many people will have had a lonely year. We want you to reach out so that we can put you in touch with people to talk to and support you.

“To our NHS and care workers across the city, and to all those key workers keeping vital services going from transport to retail, as well as our own city council staff, and all those who have volunteered in their communities, I want to say a big thank you. You have all worked so hard both during this festive period, and throughout the year.

“While this feels a sombre moment, and we are leaving 2020 under stricter measures, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"The vaccine is already being delivered to some of our most vulnerable citizens, and if we all play by the rules and support each other, we can help to keep Oxford safe.”

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire’s Director for Public Health, said: “We are in a very serious situation, which means that people are again being told to stay at home.

“The new variant of Covid-19 spreads extremely quickly and these rules are being applied for our own safety and protection.

"The numbers of cases across the county have risen very steeply and we have also seen sharp rises in hospital admissions.

Read more: Oxfordshire rising star keeps Christmas real with lockdown single

“When we compare our current situation with that of just a few weeks ago, we can clearly see how quickly things can change and how aggressively the virus can spread if we let our guard down even by a fraction.

“This virus thrives on human contact. That seems to be even more the case with the new variant, which is 70 per cent more transmissible and is becoming the dominant strain.

“Tier 4 is a stark warning that we need to be extra vigilant. Unless we all take personal responsibility throughout the coming weeks, we risk creating a situation in the early weeks of 2021 that will see steep rises in the number of cases at exactly the time of year when viruses thrive.”