Croydon will be classed as a Covid-19 high alert level area and subject to Tier 2 restrictions from midnight tonight (Friday).

This follows a government announcement on Thursday that the alert level for all London boroughs would be raised due to the rapidly increasing infection rates throughout the capital. In Croydon there have been 390 confirmed cases in the last 14 days compared with 209 cases in the fortnight before.

The high alert level means new rules will be in place to reduce the rate of transmission and keep Croydon safe.

The key change is:

You must not socialise with anybody other than members of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place, including pubs and restaurants.

You can still meet with other households outside, in gardens or outdoor spaces, providing everyone maintains a 2-metre distance and sticks to the ‘rule of six’. You can find a full guide to the restrictions here.

Please continue to:

• Keep your distance
• Wash your hands
• Wear a face covering
• Rule of six – do not meet in groups larger than six
• Self-isolate if you have symptoms while you arrange a test, or if you are advised to because you have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Rachel Flowers, Croydon’s Director of Public Health, said: “Like elsewhere in London, Covid-19 infection rates in our borough are increasing rapidly. If we all follow the new rules around which aim to reduce our social contact along with the vital public health guidance around hands, face and space, we really can help to prevent the virus spreading in our community and to our loved ones. It is vital that we do this now to protect ourselves and each other and to help keep Croydon safe.”

For the latest government guidance visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.