Reading Borough Council (RBC) is in discussions with the government about increasing Covid-19 restrictions in Reading as cases continue to rise .

There were 128 new cases reported in Reading in the last week (October 14-20), which is around 79 per 100,000, although these figures are not finalised.

Leader of the council Jason Brock said Reading Borough case numbers are above the south east average but below the England average, and “clearly rising and cause for concern”.

READ MORE: Covid cases in Reading jump by almost 80 during weekend

He said: “We have begun a process of having a discussion with the government about any other measures that might be appropriate, such as moving into tier two.”

Tier one: current restrictions in Reading

Reading is currently in tier one, where the restrictions are:

  • 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants
  • Rule of Six – gatherings of more than six banned except for under certain circumstances such as weddings and funerals
  • Wearing face masks on public transport, in shops and when not seated in pubs and restaurants.

Moving into tier two: how it would work

In tier two, the rule of six only applies outside, with mixing indoors only allowed between household members.

Cllr Brock said if Reading moves into tier two, the whole Reading urban area should move and not just the borough.

He said: “We would rather be proactive than reactive, but we cannot move the borough into tier two without moving the whole Reading area, which includes West Berkshire and Wokingham.

“There has to be a holistic urban area approach.

“The government have been a little opaque about how this works. In Nottingham, the figures would justify it going into tier three but figures in the wider Nottinghamshire area kept it in tier two.

“I would hope they are able to look at the urban area and not just the borough. People who live in Calcot, Earley and even Woodley would think of themselves as being in Reading.”

How does Reading compare to other areas?

The latest finalised statistics in Berkshire show there were 60 cases per 100,000 people in Reading borough over the seven days from October 5 to 11.

Wokingham borough had 49.7 cases per 100,000 over the same period, while there were 41 per 100,000 in West Berkshire.

Slough had 70 per 100,000 and has recently asked to voluntarily be placed in tier two.

Windsor & Maidenhead had the highest case rate, 91.8, and has asked the government to consider moving it into tier two but also called for financial support for its businesses.

Helping town through ‘very challenging winter’

Cllr Brock has called in everyone across Reading to follow the rules and regulations to help the town through the “very challenging winter” ahead.

He said local public health professionals are particularly concerned that some individuals that should be self-isolating are not.

What are the self-isolation rules?

People must self-isolate if they test positive for the disease or are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace after coming into contact with someone with the virus.

Those who refuse an order to self-isolate will be fined up to £10,000.

People also need to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the quarantine list.

READ MORE: Thames Valley police issue three fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrival

The RBC leader added that people should remember ‘the basics’, which includes washing your hands regularly and social distancing at all times.