North Herts District Council leader Martin Stears-Hanscomb has urged residents to take the Tier 3 rules seriously and think carefully about Christmas plans. - Credit: NHDC North Herts residents have been "strongly urged" to be careful with plans over Christmas following the announcement of tighter coronavirus restrictions across the county. Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed yesterday that the entire county would face Tier 3 - 'very high alert' - measures from midnight on Saturday. North Herts District Council leader Martin Stears-Hanscomb has released the following statement, urging residents to play their part in repressing the spread of the virus.