Kent to move into Tier Three

News - 26 November 2020

With numbers of Covid patients on the increase, and the news today that Kent will move into Tier Three restrictions next week, it's a good time to remember to look after yourself.
Tier Three restrictions

It's been a year like no other and with no immediate end in sight, it's important that we stick to the rules whilst also finding time to look after ourselves and each other.

Kent has seen a rise in infection numbers and today it was announced that we will be in Tier Three from December 2nd. 

Although shops and schools will remain open, we will have a new set of regulations to get familiar with. These include:

  • we must not meet people from outside your household indoors. 

  • you can meet up to 6 people outside for a walk.

  • pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, and cafes will remain closed although they can serve takeaways.

  • indoor entertainment such as cinemas and theatres, and indoor attractions such as zoos will remain closed

  • leisure and sports facilities may stay open, but group exercise classes indoors should not go ahead. 

  • large outdoor events will also not take place.

  • places of worship remain open with restrictions.

  • organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue.

  • we must reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

  • avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

There are exceptions to these rules and much more detail on the Government website here. 

Support is available for you

If you need help getting food or medication, there is help available. 

District Councils are working together with Kent County Council to help you if you need it.

They can help with:

  • making sure you have enough food and supplies
  • picking up prescriptions (except in Tunbridge Wells)
  • making sure you have someone to talk to by phone, Skype or Facetime (except in Tunbridge Wells).

In some parts of Kent you can also get help with:

  • preparing meals for the freezer (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham, and Tonbridge and Malling only)
  • putting out the bins (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham and Tonbridge and Malling ony)
  • helping to make sure you have simple recipes to hand (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham and Tonbridge and Malling only)
  • walking your dog (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham and Tonbridge and Malling only)
  • taking in parcels (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham and Tonbridge and Malling only)
  • checking if any planned appointments have been cancelled before you travel (Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe and Gravesham only).

You can apply for support through Kent Together here 

Looking after YOU

It's important that you take time to look after yourself during these uncertain times. There is no rule book that tells you how you should feel or what you should be doing.

We've teamed up with Kent County Council, and a whole range of organisations, to help pull together some information and suggestions about what you can do and what support is available to help us all get through this.

We hope you will find something useful in here 

Talk to us

Tell us how you are feeling. Tell us about your worries.

We're not a counselling service, but we can make sure decision makers understand what it's like for you right now. It's important that they hear how lockdown is affecting you, and your family, so that they can plan services accordingly.

Get in touch with us anytime on 0808 801 0102 or email info@healthwatchkent.co.uk 

If you'd rather not chat to a real person, then you can always complete our online form here