A COUNCILLOR has said it is "sensible for Brighton and Hove to start to plan for a move to Tier 2 and think about what that would mean to all aspects of life".

Councillor Sue Shanks, chairwoman of the city’s health and wellbeing board, made the comments following a meeting of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board.

A total of 441 coronavirus cases were recorded in Brighton and Hove in the week leading up to October 23, marking a 60 per cent increase on the number reported the week before.

This is equivalent to a weekly rate of 151.6 cases per 100,000 population.

The majority of coronavirus cases in recent weeks have been reported in young people aged between 15 and 24.

However, the most recent figures show an increase among all age groups.

Brighton and Hove's director of public health, Alistair Hill, said there had been a “steep rise” in cases among adults aged between 40 and 59, and a 27 per cent climb in the number of cases among people aged 60 and above.

The Argus: The coronavirus testing centre at East Brighton ParkThe coronavirus testing centre at East Brighton Park

Councillors attended a meeting of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board and partners this week and spoke about the possibility of a move to Tier 2 for Brighton and Hove.

Councillor Sue Shanks, chairwoman of the city’s health and wellbeing board, said: "It's sensible for Brighton and Hove to start to plan for a move to Tier 2 (High Alert level) and think about what that would mean to all aspects of life. 

“The decision to escalate to Tier 2 would be made by central government following consultation with the council and our Local Outbreak Engagement Board, which is made up of councillors, city leaders and public health colleagues. 

“We do believe that we are very close to the thresholds whereby other regions have started to have those discussions with government which sees them then escalate to Tier 2.  

“Covid is in our city and rates are growing. Covid kills people and we all need to do all we can to stop it and protect our most vulnerable communities.

"These include people who are already unwell, are elderly and the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the city. Please follow the guidelines and don’t take risks.”

Director of public health Alistair Hill (below) said that "moving up an alert level is not inevitable" but warned that action would need to be taken to prevent this.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove's director of public health Alistair HillBrighton and Hove's director of public health Alistair Hill

He said: “We remain in Tier 1 on Medium alert but if cases continue to rise at this rate we risk moving up into Tier 2.

“That would place the city on High alert with greater restrictions on meeting friends and family members who don’t live in your household.”

“The guidelines are inconvenient and difficult for all of us.

The Argus:

“But the only way we can stop Covid from spreading out of control in the city is for everyone to follow them closely.

“Reduce social contacts, maintain social distancing and keep to the rule of six, wash your hands regularly, wear a a face covering when in busy places (not just when required to do) and ask people you mix with to keep to the guidelines too.”

Mr Hill also issued a warning surrounding Halloween.

With the celebration fast-approaching, he said that 2020 is “not the year for play dates, trick or treating and Halloween parties”.

Brighton and Hove City Council has instead suggested families celebrate Halloween in an alternative way, such as watching a scary film at home or cooking up a “fiendish feast”.