Windsor and Maidenhead to stay in Tier 1

Windsor and Maidenhead will not go in to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions yet, with the borough's leader making a desperate plea to people to follow the rules.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, has confirmed that after talks with the government, the two towns will stay in Tier 1.

However, he says the situation will be kept under review and that the council will continue to lobby the government for more funding to help businesses.

He said the move does not mean people in Windsor and Maidenhead can become complacent, saying "the potential for underlying infection remains extremely high".

The news follows the announcement the borough's neighbours in Slough will go in to Tier 2 restrictions on Saturday, October 24.

Bosses in Reading also remain in talks with the government over whether to go up a tier or not, and similar warnings have been made to people in Bracknell and Wokingham.

Cllr Johnson said: "Last week given our borderline status and likely projected increase in cases I asked government to consider whether it was appropriate or not for us to move into high-risk Tier 2. Since then the rise in our number of cases has slightly abated, but the potential for underlying infection remains extremely high.

"As a result, and based upon the data before us, in discussions with government we have requested to remain in Tier 1 for now pending further review, to which the government has agreed. However, our numbers are such that we remain on the cusp of Tier 2 and all the additional restrictions on our lives this would bring.

"We must not be complacent. We must continue to follow the guidance. We must stop the spread. Doing this may help us avoid Tier 2."