NO additional Covid-19 measures are to be imposed in Dudley for now following the Prime Minister's announcement of new restrictions in some areas to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Dudley falls into the level one (medium) category - Dudley's cabinet member for health and adult social care, Councillor Nic Barlow, has confirmed this evening following Boris Johnson's speech in the Commons earlier today in which he introduced new Covid-19 alert levels.

The news means people can still meet up indoors or outdoors in groups of up to six unlike those living in neighbouring Sandwell, plus Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Walsall, which fall into the high alert level.

In those areas people must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place; they also must not meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space.

And people are being urged to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they are encouraged to walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

Cllr Barlow described the news that there will be no greater restrictions imposed at present on households in the Dudley borough as "a relief" and he said: "We're very lucky in a sense."

Latest data, published today (October 12), shows there have been 267 recorded cases of coronavirus in Dudley in the last seven days - compared to 209 in the previous seven days; and the borough has a current seven-day infection rate of 83.0 per 100,000 people, compared to 65.0 per 100,000 people in the previous seven days.

A total of 2,386 positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the borough since the pandemic began in March and 268 people with the infection have died at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital.

The Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust's Covid-19 death toll stands at 394 and there have been 3,962 confirmed cases recorded in Sandwell since the pandemic began.

Sandwell Council's Twitterfeed said this evening that the authority was "awaiting further details from the government" about what today's announcement would mean for Sandwell.

In Dudley:

All businesses and venues can continue to operate in a Covid-secure manner, apart from those that remain closed by law such as nightclubs.

Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am.

Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru.

Schools, universities and places of worship remain open

Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees

Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the rule of six is followed

People must not meet in groups larger than six, indoors or outdoors.