Dudley borough is set to move into Tier 2 Covid restrictions later this week with talks planned for next week to discuss the whole of West Midlands moving into Tier 3.

Dudley will join Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Birmingham in the second highest restriction level after cases continued to surge in recent days. It will mean that people are prohibited from socialising with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting.

Talks are due to take place between local leaders and Ministers next week, with the possibility of moving the whole region into Tier 3 alert measures at the top of the agenda.

However it's understood that local government leaders are united in their opposition to the imposition of Tier 3 measures, which would see pubs that do not serve substantial meals forced to close, as well as extra restrictions on households mixing.

They are understood to be considering putting forward a range of measures, including making wearing face masks mandatory everywhere outside homes and gardens, in a bid to avoid extended restrictions being imposed. Speaking to the Express & Star, leader of Dudley Council, Patrick Harley, said:

"Cases have been rising and we need to be in Tier 2 for perhaps a month to see if it effects the figures. 

"The one light at the end of the tunnel is that clearly we are doing something right here in the West Midlands, as the rate of infection, although it is rising, is nowhere near the level it is in places like Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham."

The new restrictions could be announced as early as Wednesday and are likely to come into force later this week.