Lockdown tiers: Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead could ask for tougher restrictions

Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead could go into Tier 2 lockdown voluntarily as infection rates remain high.

Both areas are currently in Tier 1 of the Government's new coronavirus restrictions.

Councils do have the power to impose tougher restrictions on people living in their areas and escalate to a higher tier if they feel it is necessary.

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Slough Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead are in discussions where voluntarily imposing Tier 2 restrictions on their populations has been considered.

Confirming the news, a spokeswoman for Slough Borough Council said: "Figures are such that at the moment we have been in discussion since last week with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), talking about the possibility we would end up in Tier 2, and whether to go into it voluntarily as opposed to being put in there.

"At this stage, discussions are being made, and a similar discussion will occur early next week.

"Our numbers per 100,000 are such that it's certainly an option we are looking into."

It follows news that Essex County Council has called on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to place the county in Tier 2.

Tier 2 restrictions involve banning household mixing and cutting public transport use to those to only essential travel.

Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead are currently in Tier 1.

The majority of the country, including all of Berkshire, is in this tier, which imposes the rule of six indoors and outdoors, the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, home working if possible, and social distancing.

But both councils are considering going into Tier 2 due to increasing infection rates.