A SHIFT to a lower level of Covid-19 restrictions is “not expected” this week as the tier system review looms closer.

The Tier system, that was introduced on December 2, is set to be reviewed tomorrow, December 16.

Hampshire was placed in Tier two when England came out of lockdown, meaning indoor meetings are banned and pubs and restaurant can open only if they operate as restaurants.

But it is looking unlikely that the county will move to tier one this week.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson told The Advertiser : “Our Public Health team is awaiting confirmation of the COVID tier restriction for Hampshire, which is due to be announced following the government tier review on Wednesday 16 December.

“Given current rates of infection, it is not expected that Hampshire will move down a tier. 

“As such, the County Council will continue to remind residents of the importance of following the appropriate tier restriction guidance in order to break chains of infection, prevent further spread of the virus and keep everyone safe.”

Yesterday, December 14, it was announced that a new variant of Coronavirus had been identified that is growing faster than the existing variants.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that more than 1,000 cases of the new variant have been identified - predominantly in the south of England.

He told the Commons: “Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.

“We’ve currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.

“And numbers are increasing rapidly.”

The new strain of the virus has forced London and parts of Hertfordshire and Essex to join tier three on Wednesday.

Around 10.8 million people in the areas above will join tier three on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people living under the toughest restrictions to 34 million people - or 61% of England's population.

Hampshire County Council are urging residents to follow the rules over the festive period to prevent the speed of the virus.

A spokesperson said: “We know what a hard year it has been for us all and how much everyone is looking forward to the festive break.

“But with the rate of increase growing in all areas, it is vitally important that everyone continues to follow the tier restriction guidance and abide by the ‘Yule rules’.

“The County Council is reminding residents how to stay COVID-safe over the festive period while shopping and socialising, including thinking very carefully about the risks of mixing indoors and spending time with the elderly and clinically vulnerable.

“Testing sites will remain open over Christmas - anyone who experiences symptoms, however mild, must self-isolate and book a test.

“By working together we can continue to protect one another, prevent further spread of the virus and look ahead to a better New Year.”

More information about their festive campaign can be found on the County Council’s website.