PROVISIONS have been made across Dorset to enable NHS workers and care home staff to park for free throughout the lockdown. BCP Council is operating its critical worker scheme, which means all those with valid health exemption permits – including NHS, health and social care workers – can park for free while in residents only bays while carrying out their duties. The council is also operating a fixed workplace scheme, which offers a nominated BCP Council parking space, free of charge and with no time limit, for health workers. Health workers need to apply and are able to nominate up to three fixed workplaces.
Sam Crowe and Cllr Nicola Greene have reacted to the tier changes in BCP and Dorset PUBLIC health chiefs have advised that taking sacrifices now will help prevent an even larger Covid spike across BCP and Dorset Council regions in January. Sam Crowe, director of public health for BCP and Dorset Councils, said an increased infection rate among people over 60 was putting increased pressure on already stretched NHS services . He gave the comments shortly after it was announced that the BCP area would be moving to the Tier 4 restrictions from Thursday, December 31, and the Dorset Council region would move into Tier 3.
Weymouth town centre. Picture: Michael Taylor DORSET will remain in Tier 2 following Matt Hancock s announcement that some areas will move Tiers - but medical and councils have warned people not to be complacent. Health Secretary announced tougher measures for large parts of southern and eastern England after a newly discovered variant of coronavirus was spreading at a “dangerous rate” with rising cases on Wednesday, December 23. He also said cases of another new mutant coronavirus linked to South Africa have been found in the UK and placed travel restrictions on the country. Dorset, which includes Dorset Council and BCP Council, remains in Tier 2 despite also reporting rising Covid-19 cases across the county. But, the Government’s criteria for Tier allocations will be closely monitored over the coming days and weeks.