Today London, including the London Borough of Bromley, has been moved into the High Tier of local alerts. This means that new restrictions will apply from midnight on Friday to stop the spread of coronavirus.
I am disappointed that Orpington has been moved up to Tier 2 as our rate of infection is lower than the rest of Greater London. I have been strongly making a case for borough variations to stop measures being unfairly imposed.
Although the London Borough of Bromley has the third-lowest rate of infection in the capital, we have seen a sharp rise in the virus locally. In the week up to the 9th of October, Bromley's rate of infection was 71 per 100,000. Four weeks ago, the rate of infection was only 14 per 100,000 in our borough.
While I question the evidence behind moving London as one into Tier 2, given the variation of infection rates across the capital, we all must follow these new rules to reduce the virus locally.
To stop the spread of coronavirus, you can not meet people from outside your household/bubble indoors.
This includes private homes and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants. Outdoors, you can meet in groups of up to 6 people.
Importantly, schools, retail, hospitality and other parts of our society will remain open. The hope is that by stopping mixing between households the virus can be slowed, avoiding stricter measures down the line.
My team and I are here to help, so if you support, please email gareth.bacon.mp@parliament.uk.
More information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high