ALCESTER and Studley have been placed into toughest – Tier 4 – level of the Covid-19 restrictions along with the rest of Warwickshire.
This means people must stay at home, except for permitted reasons and all but essential shops must close.
Hospitality venues, such as pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants remain closed except for takeaway.
Residents will also only be able to meet with one other person from another household in a public, outdoor space.
The restrictions also mean that Stratford District Council’s leisure centres in Alcester, Shipston, Southam, Stratford and Studley will have to close.
Covid business rate grants will be available while Tier 4 restrictions remain in place.
According to the latest figures Stratford-on-Avon’s infection rate is now 174 cases per 100,000 people with 227 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in the district between December 19 and December 25, this is an increase of 37 from the previous week.
The Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council Tony Jefferson, said: “It is disappointing that cases have been increasing steadily across the District with the natural spread of the virus.
“We have done well to keep it at bay to some extent and not see the rapid case rises seen in other parts of the county.
“Being put into the highest tier is of continued concern for the area, in particular our businesses, but with transmission rates of the virus increasing across the country there was an inevitability about the decision.
“The latest figures for positive cases and hospital beds with Covid patients leave us with no choice but to accept Tier 4.”
This change will take affect from midnight tonight, Wednesday, December 30.
By comparison, the latest figures show Redditch with 209 cases per 100,000 down 13 on the previous week, Bromsgrove with 272 per 100k, up 79, Solihull on 248 per 100k up 123, and Birmingham with 311 cases per 100k, up 493.
