Dudley borough has moved into the highest tier of local restrictions today, after the country’s second national lockdown came to an end.

The local authority area joins the rest of Birmingham and the Black Country in tier 3, as rates remain high in the region despite a reduction in cases over the last two weeks.

Dudley Council bosses are calling on all residents to continue to follow government restrictions, in the hope the area may see a step down in restrictions ahead of the Christmas period. The government has confirmed it will review all tiers in two weeks’ time, when it is hoped the reduction in cases will have progressed further. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

"The decision to place Dudley in tier 3 was a predictable but disappointing one given how much our residents and businesses have sacrificed in order to bring virus rates down.

"As leader of the council and a businessman I have seen all too well the devastating impact the pandemic is having on our regional economy and this why I will be lobbying the government to ease our restrictions when they are reviewed on December 16.

"In the meantime, I want to thank everyone in Dudley for playing their part and I beg all of you to take this time to go the extra mile and get the rates down as low as we can.

"Our collective efforts now will help to save lives, reduce virus rates further and give us a fighting chance of seeing our nearest and dearest this Christmas.”

The local authority is continuing to offer the Covid-19 helpline, in conjunction with Citizens Advice Dudley, Dudley Council for Voluntary Services and the Black Country Foodbank. Help is available to those who are self-isolating, may be feeling lonely or isolated, are unable to leave their home, or struggling financially due to the pandemic.

People can call 0300 3302 152 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Bal Kaur, director of public health in Dudley, said:"It is vital we use isolating and testing to reduce any further spread if experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 - a high temperature, a new continuous cough and or a loss of taste or smell.

"Anyone displaying these symptoms, no matter how mild, must isolate and book a test immediately by contacting the NHS Test and Trace service, regardless of the day of the week. This can be done by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus

Dudley borough currently has four testing sites. The main two testing units are located at Flood Street car park (off Oakeywell Street) in Dudley and on Jackson Street car park in Lye. There are also two temporary mobile test sites at Brierley Hill and Himley Hall (access through West Gate entry only), which are drive through only and people should not attempt to access the sites on foot.

All those attending an appointment will be provided with guidance on getting to and from their designated test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities. 

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Residents and businesses can keep updated on the council’s latest response to the Covid-19 crisis at dudley.gov.uk/coronavirus